Snohomish County issues warning for possible measles exposure at Sea-Tac Airport
Feb 22, 2022, 9:38 AM
Quite check-in gates at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. (Photo by Karen Ducey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Karen Ducey/Getty Images)
Snohomish County health officials issued an exposure warning Monday, after an infant who had passed through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport was diagnosed with measles.
What to do about potential a measles exposure
According to the Snohomish County Health District, the infant was believed to have been infected with measles “during travel in South Asia,” before returning through Sea-Tac, and later being taken to the Seattle Children’s Hospital emergency room.
The health district estimates that potential exposure to others would have occurred between 11:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. at Sea-Tac Airport on Feb. 19, and between 12:34 a.m. and 2:49 a.m. at the Seattle Children’s ER lobby on Feb. 20.
While the risk to general public is considered to be low, measles is highly contagious and can present complications, particularly for those who are unvaccinated, infants under six months old, and those with immunodeficiencies. Ninety cases were identified in Washington during the last major outbreak in 2019.
Symptoms include fever, rash, cough, and red, watery eyes. Anyone who believes they were exposed at either Sea-Tac or Seattle Children’s is urged to contact their health care provider if any symptoms develop between now and March 12.
