EVERETT — An infant from Snohomish County has measles, health officials reported Monday.
The child got the disease during travel in South Asia, according to the Snohomish Health District. People at the Sea-Tac Airport and Seattle Children’s Hospital emergency room lobby may have been exposed Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
Measles is highly contagious and causes fever, rash, cough and red watery eyes. Symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure. It mostly spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes.
Health district officials consider risk to the public low because of vaccinations.
But people who were in the airport 11:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Saturday or the children’s hospital from 12:34 to 2:49 a.m. Sunday are encouraged to find out if they are vaccinated for measles, have evidence of measles immunity from blood testing or have had measles previously. People who are not already immune and were exposed can get the vaccine within 72 hours.
Infected people can spread it before a rash appears.
Anyone who has a fever or illness with an unexplained rash between now through March 12 should call a health care provider and ask to be evaluated for measles.
Other details about the child were not shared.
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