The Snohomish County Health Department confirmed three additional measles cases since declaring an outbreak two weeks ago, bringing the total to six, with the latest case linked to a Mukilteo church service.
The newest case was confirmed Tuesday in an unvaccinated child who was infectious while attending an afternoon service at Slavic Christian Church Awakening in Mukilteo on Sunday, Jan. 18. Anyone who attended the church between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. that day may have been exposed to the virus.
People born before 1957 or who have received two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine are considered immune. Earlier this month, the Health Department confirmed three measles cases in local children exposed to a contagious family visiting from South Carolina. Two additional cases were diagnosed after the outbreak was announced, both involving unvaccinated children within a family already isolating because a sibling had tested positive.
“Most people in our county have immunity to measles through vaccination, so the risk to the general public is low,” said Health Officer Dr. James Lewis. “The next two to three weeks could be telling on where this outbreak is going to go. Now is the time to find out your immunization status and get up to date on vaccinations.”
Snohomish County residents can check with local pharmacies and clinics about vaccination availability. In Washington state, children under 19 can be vaccinated for free and most insurance plans, including Medicare Part B, cover the cost for adults. If you were born after 1956, are unimmunized and have never had measles, you should quarantine for 21 days after exposure. Call a healthcare provider promptly if you develop an illness with fever or an unexplained rash, but do not go to a clinic or hospital without calling first.
