Measles case found in WA tourist. Should recent Sea-Tac travelers be concerned?
Prior to mid-May, Washington had confirmed five cases of the measles in 2025. But its sixth case might have the widest footprint yet.
King County recently announced it had been informed that a Canadian resident who visited the Seattle area had tested positive for the virus.
The visitor stayed in Bothell for three days, making stops across King and Snohomish Counties. Officials with Public Health Seattle and King County as well as the Washington State Department of Health say the risk to the public is relatively low given that most people in the area are vaccinated against the disease.
Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine are considered 97% effective against the disease. Herd immunity is at about 92-94% vaccination rates, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
However, there is still some concern, given that the tourist was at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport while likely contagious on the morning of May 3. According to King County health officials, the disease infects nine of every ten people without immunity who are exposed to it.
What if you were exposed to measles in WA?
County and state health officials recommend that people who could have been exposed to the virus immediately check if they have prior immunity.
Officials also recommend that anyone who’s been exposed and has a fever or a rash call a healthcare provider.
Here’s the list that county officials provided of locations in Washington visited by the person who contracted the measles, as well as the intervals during which others could have been exposed to the disease (the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours):
The Residence Inn, Bothell, WA from 9:00 a.m. on April 30 to 10 a.m. on May 3
LA Fitness in Bellevue, WA from 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on April 30
Bellevue Market Place from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on April 30
Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery in Woodinville, WA from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on April 30
Home Depot in Redmond, WA from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on April 30
Dunn Lumber in Renton, WA from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on May 1
Genki Sushi in Renton from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on May 1
Topgolf in Renton from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on May 1
LA Fitness in Kirkland, WA from 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on May 2
Pho Mignon in Kirkland from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on May 2
Kobo at Higo in Seattle, WA from 2:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. on May 2
Uwajimaya in Seattle from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on May 2
Stoup Brewing in Seattle from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on May 2
Spicy Style of Sichuan in Seattle from 6:15 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on May 2
Columbia Super Range in Everett, WA from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on May 2
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on May 3
How to check your measles vaccine status
You can check your vaccination status at MyIRMobile or request your immunization records from your doctor, school or the state health department.
People who have had the measles before or were born before 1957, when the disease was still prevalent, typically have immunity as well. You can also ask for an immunity test from your doctor.
Measles symptoms
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, measles symptoms typically begin between seven and 14 days after infection. The first wave of symptoms typically includes a high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes. Two to three days later, small white spots can appear on the inside of the mouth, followed by a rash of flat, red spots a few days later.