Contagious Measles Patients Visited Public Seattle Locations, King County Warns

SEATTLE, WA - King County health officials are warning that two people with confirmed measles visited a number of public locations in the downtown and South Lake Union neighborhoods before they were diagnosed, which means that others may be at risk of contracting the highly contagious disease.

A 6-month-old and her father were recently confirmed to have measles after they returned from a trip to Asia. They visited apartments, office buildings, and retail establishments in the downtown area between March 14 and March 18.

Although most people are immunized against measles, people who were at these locations should check that their vaccinations are up to date. If you visited one of the locations and develop a fever or unexplained rash, King County recommends that you contact your doctor - but do not go to a hospital or clinic before calling first. King County estimates anyone exposed at these locations could begin to develop symptoms between March 21 and April 8.

The two King County measles patients visited the following locations, according to King County:

Amazon Houdini Building during these times:

• March 14, 2017: 9:20 AM - 8:30 PM
• March 15, 2017: 9:20 AM - 7:30 PM
• March 16, 2017: 9:20 AM - 8:30 PM
• March 17, 2017: 9:20 AM - 5:30 PM

Amazon Roxanne Building during this time:

• March 17, 2017: 11:00 AM-5:30PM

AMLI 535 Apartments during these times

• March 14, 2017: 9:10 AM - 11:15 AM, 12:40 PM - 3:15 PM, 7:30 PM - 9:45 PM
• March 15, 2017: 9:10 AM - 3:15 PM, 5:45 PM - 8:00 PM
• March 16, 2017: 9:10 AM - 11:15 AM, 12:40 PM - 8:45 PM
• March 17, 2017: 9:10 AM - 8:00 PM
• March 18, 2017: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Whole Foods 2210 Westlake Ave Seattle 98121 during this time:

• March 14, 2017, : 6:45 PM-9:15 PM

The Polyclinic Madison Center 904 7th Ave, Seattle during these times:

• March 16, 2017: 2:15 PM - 5:00 PM
• March 17, 2017: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Homegrown Sustainable Sandwiches 208 Westlake Ave N, Seattle during this time:

• March 18, 2017: 1:30 PM - 3:35 PM

According to King County, "measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that causes fever, rash, cough, and red, watery eyes. It is mainly spread through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. Measles symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure. Measles is contagious from approximately four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appears. People can spread measles before they have the characteristic measles rash.People at highest risk from exposure to measles include those who are unvaccinated, pregnant women, infants under six months of age and those with weakened immune systems."

Learn more about measles from King County Public Health.

Image via Google Maps