Update (7/12/2018): Additional measles cases have been confirmed in Snohomish County.
The Snohomish Health District’s Communicable Disease and Surveillance team has been monitoring the health of the host family, and can now confirm that one adult and three minors in the household have measles.
There have been no confirmed cases from outside the household at this time.
Original story (7/9/2018): Local public health officials have confirmed a measles infection in Snohomish County.
The person with the infection is a member of a large group of minors visiting multiple states in the U.S. from abroad as part of a summer program.
The confirmation arrived on July 6; the Snohomish Health District’s Communicable Disease and Surveillance team is working with the individual's host family.
Before their diagnosis, the individual may have exposed others to measles at the following locations:
- Walmart (19191 N Kelsey St, Monroe) on June 20, 2018, from 2 to 10 p.m.
- McDonald’s (19515 State Hwy 2, Monroe) on June 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Dairy Queen (19510 State Hwy 2, Monroe) on June 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- YMCA (14033 Fryelands Blvd, Monroe) on June 21, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Providence Regional Medical Center Everett (1700 13th St, Everett) on June 22, from 3 to 9 p.m. and on June 23 from 3 to 9 p.m.
- Wendy’s (2510 Broadway, Everett) on June 23, 2018, from 5 to 10 p.m.
- Providence – Monroe Clinic Pharmacy (19200 N Kelsey St, Monroe) on June 24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Swedish Redmond Clinic (18100 NE Union Hill Rd, Ste. 200, Redmond) on June 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Providence – Monroe Laboratory (19200 N Kelsey St, Monroe) on June 27 from 1 to 5:30 p.m.
Because most people in the area are vaccinated against measles, the risk to the general public is low, say public health officials. However, if you were in the locations at the times listed above, you should:
- Find out if you have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles previously
- Call a health care provider promptly if you develop an illness with fever or an illness with an unexplained rash between June 21 and July 12. To avoid possibly spreading measles, do not go to a clinic or hospital without calling first to tell them you want to be evaluated for measles.
Those most at risk from exposure to measles are unvaccinated, pregnant, infants under 6 months of age and those with weakened immune systems. Learn more about the illness.
More about the vaccine
The best protection against measles is the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Most children receive this vaccine at ages 12 to 15 months and at 4 to 6 years old.
All vaccines are free for kids through age 18. If a health care provider charges you, ask to have it waived. The Vaccines for Children (VCF) program offers vaccines at no cost for eligible children through VFC-enrolled doctors.
If you need help finding a health care provider, call the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588 or visit this website.
