EVERETT — Snohomish County health officials identified another positive case of measles on Tuesday, the second case confirmed in just over two weeks within the county.
It’s the third case of measles to be confirmed in Washington state this year. The first was identified in a King County infant on Feb. 26, the second was identified on March 18 in a Snohomish County adult. The most recent case was in a Snohomish County infant.
Both cases in Snohomish County were identified in individuals who did not have confirmed vaccinations, the Snohomish County Health Department said Wednesday.
“Our thoughts are with the child and their family, and we sincerely hope for a full and speedy recovery,” Dr. James Lewis, health officer for the Snohomish County Health Department, wrote in a release Wednesday. “Measles is a serious and highly contagious disease, and young children — especially those who are too young to be vaccinated — are particularly vulnerable to its complications.”
The infant was likely exposed to measles while traveling abroad, the health department said. The infant was in public locations before being diagnosed, potentially exposing people to the disease.
Those who were in certain locations at specific times and dates may have been exposed to measles, the department said.
The locations are:
• near Gate S12 in the S Concourse of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and in International Arrivals facility baggage claim carousel 20 between 10:45 a.m. and 2 p.m. on March 27;
• in the Providence Monroe Clinic from 6:25 p.m. to 10 p.m. on March 29;
• in the Providence Mill Creek walk-in clinic from 8:55 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on March 31;
• in Seattle Children’s Hospital Forest garage, elevators, pharmacy and Forest B lobby from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on March 31.
Providence Medical Group is working with the Snohomish County Health Department to contact patients who may have been exposed to the disease, a spokesperson for the medical group wrote in a release Wednesday.
If you were in one of those locations at those times, the health department recommends checking to make sure you are up to date on your measles, mumps and rubella vaccination. The most likely time you would become sick would be between April 3 and April 21, the department said. Symptoms include a rash, fever, cough and runny nose. It can lead to complications in infants, adults over 20 years old, pregnant people and in people with weakened immune systems.
Most people in Snohomish County are immune to measles because they are vaccinated against the disease, the health department said.
After the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine was implemented, it largely eliminated measles in the United States by 2000. Annual cases, however, have increased since 2024, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control.
“Vaccination remains our best protection against measles,” Lewis wrote. “We urge everyone, especially those who spend time around young kids, to ensure they are immune, both to protect themselves and to shield those who are most at risk. If you’re planning international travel, it’s also important to speak with your healthcare provider about what vaccines may be needed for you and your family to stay healthy and protected while abroad.”
A total of 483 cases have been identified within the United States in 2025, data shows. Ninety-seven percent of those cases were identified in people who are unvaccinated. Only three months into the new year, there have been more measles cases identified nationwide in 2025 than any of the past five years.
Will Geschke: 425-339-3443; william.geschke@heraldnet.com; X: @willgeschke.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
