EVERETT, April 2: According to the Snohomish County Health Department (SCHD) a new positive measles case has been detected in a Snohomish County infant as of April 1, 2025. The infant was likely exposed to measles during recent travel abroad. People who were at certain locations in Snohomish and King counties may have been exposed to measles. People who are vaccinated are well protected. Exposed individuals should check to make sure they have immunity against measles.
This is the second case of measles in an infant, and third case overall, in Washington State since January 1, 2025, said the SCHD in a press release.
Providence Medical Group (PMG) Northwest has confirmed that a pediatric patient with measles was seen at the PMG Monroe Walk-in Clinic on Saturday, March 29 and again at the PMG Mill Creek Walk-in Clinic on Monday, March 31. The child and their family were subsequently sent to Seattle Children’s for further testing, which confirmed measles.
Measles virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after someone contagious with measles leaves the area. The SCHD has provided a list of locations, times, and dates where anyone present could have been exposed to measles. For these details, readers can visit the original press release here.
The Washington State Department of Health reports that each year there are typically fewer than 5 cases reported, although outbreaks with 7-19 cases occurred in Washington in 2001, 2004, and 2008.
About Measles
According to the SCHD press release, measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease, causing fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. If one person contracts measles, up to nine out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. The disease mainly spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes.
The SCHD says that people infected with measles are contagious four days before the rash starts through four days after the rash appears. The incubation period for measles from exposure to fever is usually about seven to 10 days, and from exposure to rash onset is usually about 10-14 days (with a range of seven to 21 days.) People can spread measles before they have the characteristic measles rash. Measles can lead to ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, and in rare cases, encephalitis (brain inflammation) or death.
Healthy people can experience complications from measles, but those at highest risk include infants and children under five years, adults over 20 years, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems.
Vaccination offers safe, effective measles protection
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles and providing long-lasting protection.
For more information about measles and measles vaccination, including where to get measles vaccinations, readers can visit the Snohomish County Health Department Measles webpage.