Canadian Traveler With Measles Sparks Health Alert in Washington State

Public health officials in Washington state are urging residents to check their measles vaccination status after a Canadian traveler, later diagnosed with the disease, visited several high-traffic locations across King and Snohomish counties while contagious, as per Fox News.

According to a release from Public Health – Seattle & King County, the individual traveled through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and visited numerous public venues in Renton, Bellevue, Seattle, Everett, and Woodinville between April 30 and May 3. The person’s vaccination status remains unknown.

The traveler was diagnosed with measles after leaving the region. Health officials emphasized that measles is highly contagious and can spread before symptoms such as a rash appear. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left an area.

List of Potential Exposure Sites

Officials identified several locations where the public may have been exposed, including:

• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
• Bellevue Marketplace at Factoria Shopping Center
• Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
• Home Depot in Redmond
• Dunn Lumber in Renton
• Genki Sushi in Renton
• Topgolf Renton Sports Bar and Restaurant
• Pho Mignon in Kirkland
• Kobo at HIGO Art Gallery
• Uwajimaya Seattle Asian Market
• Stoup Brewing
• Spicy Style of Sichuan restaurant
• A hotel (unnamed)
• Three unnamed fitness centers

Public Health – Seattle & King County is advising anyone who visited these places during the specified timeframe to verify their measles vaccination status. Individuals should monitor for symptoms such as fever or an unexplained rash and contact a healthcare provider if they develop any signs of illness.

Measles is a highly infectious disease preventable through the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine.