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Measles Advisory for Health Care Providers

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Confirmed Measles Case Identified in North Idaho/Kootenai County

Posted Aug. 13, 2025. Past health advisories and alerts are archived for historical purposes and are not maintained or updated.

Current Situation

A measles case has been identified in North Idaho by Panhandle Health. Limited details are available at this time.

First Confirmed Measles Case in Panhandle Since 1991

SRHD is asking health care providers to:

  • Consider measles when signs and symptoms are compatible, even in patients without international travel, due to the proximity of the North Idaho measles case.
  • Be prepared to follow infection prevention measures, including immediate isolation and masking of any patient suspected of having measles.
  • Contact SRHD and use the Measles Assessment Quicksheet for Providers if you suspect measles.
  • Advise patients that best protection is to obtain the MMR vaccine series.

In addition to measles, there are other types of rash illnesses spreading in the area. Please become familiar with signs and symptoms of measles, and understand the process for reporting, testing, and responding to cases of measles in your jurisdiction.

Actions Requested

Be familiar with the signs and symptoms of measles.

Measles typically begins with:

  • Fever (≥101°F or 38.3°C), AND
  • At least one of the following prodromal symptoms (sometimes called the “3 Cs“):
    • Cough
    • Runny nose (coryza)
    • Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
  • 2-3 days after symptoms begin, Koplik spots – Tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth
  • 3-5 days after symptoms begin: Rash (maculopapular), appearing on the head/face, then spreading downwards

Immediately isolate and mask any patient suspected of measles.

Measles is a highly infectious viral disease which can be spread through air in waiting rooms and other public spaces. Please also follow DOH guidance on Preventing Measles in Health Care Settings.

If a patient with symptoms of measles visits your facility and is later confirmed as a case of measles, public health may ask your facility for information about other patients and staff who were exposed to the patient.

Healthcare providers should use a high quality, well-fitting respirator like an N95 when caring for patients suspected of having measles.

Immediately notify Spokane Regional Health District of any suspected cases of measles.

Healthcare providers are legally required to immediately report suspected cases of measles to Spokane Regional Health District. These reports should be made by phone at 509-869-3133, at any time of day or night, including weekends and holidays.

Utilize this Measles Assessment Quicksheet for Providers.

Testing for measles is available at the WA DOH Public Health Laboratories (PHL). 

Providers must get approval from SRHD before submitting specimens to PHL. Instructions for sending specimens to PHL are on page 2 of Measles Assessment Quicksheet for Providers.

WA DOH has updated the MMR Specimen Testing Protocol with instructions for specimen submission and testing at PHL, including expected turn-around times for results. 

MMR vaccination remains the most important tool for preventing measles infections.

Ensure all patients without evidence of immunity are up to date on MMR vaccine.

Ensure that patients who are planning to travel internationally (regardless of the destination) or domestically (to outbreak areas) are fully vaccinated at least 2 weeks before departure.

  • Infants under 12 months who are traveling internationally should receive an early dose at 6 through 11 months, another dose at 12-15 months, and a final dose at least 28 days later (typically 4 through 6 years).

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is available for measles after exposure to a confirmed case.

  • Measles PEP includes MMR vaccine (administered within 72 hours of exposure) and measles immune globulin (IG, administered up to 6 days of exposure)
  • WA DOH has developed a Measles Post-Exposure Prophylaxis guide for contacts of confirmed cases of measles. Infants, pregnant persons, and severely immunocompromised individuals should be carefully assessed for PEP.