Klahanie Measles Case Reported

A local person who recently visited Klahanie QFC and Klahanie Starbucks has been confirmed to be the second area resident with measles in King County over the last few days.

Local public health officials reported today they have learned of a newly confirmed case of measles in King County, an Issaquah area resident. This is the second person with confirmed measles in King County since January 25. The newly diagnosed case of measles, a King County resident, was exposed to a contagious traveler at Sea-Tac Airport.

Before receiving the measles diagnosis, the local resident was in locations in the community where other people might have been exposed. Anyone who was at the following sites during the following times was possibly exposed to measles:

QFC—4570 Klahanie Dr S, Issaquah

Starbucks—4566 Klahanie Dr SE, Issaquah

If you were in these areas at the times above and are not immune to measles, the most likely time you would become sick is between January 30 and February 19, 2013.

Measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease caused by the measles virus. It is mainly spread through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. Because most people in our area have immunity to the measles through vaccination, the risk to the general public is low.

However, people who were at the same locations at the same time as the contagious individuals should:

• Find out if they have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles previously, and
• Call a health care provider promptly if they develop an illness with fever or illness with an unexplained rash.

The first confirmed measles case was a traveler who made a stop at Sea-Tac Airport on January 18. Persons who were in the same areas as this traveler at Sea-Tac Airport between 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on January 18 were possibly exposed to measles. More information about exposure locations at Sea-Tac Airport is at http://1.usa.gov/SO0esu.

Public Health has notified affected locations where community members may have been exposed.

About measles

Symptoms of measles include a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red and watery eyes. If you were in the exposed areas and begin to experience any of these symptoms, notify your healthcare provider immediately. Make sure your healthcare provider knows you have been exposed to measles. Always call ahead before visiting a health care facility with fever and rash and do not sit in patient waiting rooms. In order to prevent further spread of measles, please stay home and avoid other people.

For more information about measles, a fact sheet is available in multiple languages at: http://1.usa.gov/VwaLen.

For help finding low cost health services, call the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588.

--Information from King County