Measles Exposure Alert in King & Snohomish Counties: What You Need to Do Right Now
Health officials have issued a measles exposure warning for locations in King and Snohomish counties after an infected out-of-state family visited several public places. This guide explains what happened, who may have been exposed, what symptoms to watch for, and how to protect yourself and your family with evidence-based, practical steps.
If you live in or recently visited King or Snohomish County, news of a possible measles exposure can feel alarming—especially if you have young children, are pregnant, or have a weakened immune system. Measles is one of the most contagious viruses we know, and headlines like this can quickly stir up anxiety.
You don’t need to panic, but you do need to pay attention. In this article, we’ll walk through what this alert means, how measles spreads, what to do if you were at one of the exposure sites, and the most effective ways to protect yourself and your community—grounded in current public health guidance as of January 2026.
What’s Happening in King and Snohomish Counties?
According to local media reports and county health departments, an out-of-state family infected with measles spent time at multiple locations in King and Snohomish counties while they were contagious. People who were at those locations during specific time windows may have been exposed.
Typically, in situations like this, public health agencies:
- Identify where the infected individuals visited (such as clinics, stores, restaurants, or other public venues).
- Publish detailed exposure locations and times on official websites and through local news outlets.
- Advise anyone who was there during the specified windows on whether to monitor symptoms, seek vaccination, or stay home.
Understanding Measles: Why Health Officials Take It So Seriously
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can linger in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left a room.
Before widespread vaccination, measles caused millions of cases and thousands of deaths every year in the United States. Thanks largely to the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, U.S. cases dropped dramatically. However, clusters of under-vaccination and international travel have led to periodic outbreaks in recent years.
“Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected.” — U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
That level of contagiousness is why a single infected family passing through our area can trigger a region-wide alert.
Measles Symptoms: What to Watch For After Possible Exposure
Measles doesn’t show up immediately after you’re exposed. The incubation period is usually 7–14 days, but it can range from about 7–21 days.
Typical stages and symptoms include:
- Early symptoms (days 1–4 of illness):
- High fever (often 101°F–104°F or higher / 38.3°C–40°C)
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Inside the mouth:
- Small white spots (Koplik spots) on the inner cheeks, usually 2–3 days after symptoms start
- Rash phase (around day 3–5 of illness):
- Red, blotchy rash starting at the hairline and face
- Rash spreads downward to the trunk, then arms and legs
- Fever may spike again when the rash appears
Who Is Most at Risk from Measles Exposure?
Not everyone who was at an exposure site faces the same level of risk. Your risk depends largely on whether you’re immune.
Higher-risk groups include people who are:
- Unvaccinated (no doses of MMR vaccine)
- Partially vaccinated (only one dose, especially in young children)
- Infants too young to be vaccinated (younger than 12 months)
- Pregnant people who are not immune
- People with weakened immune systems (such as those on chemotherapy, high-dose steroids, or certain biologic medications)
- People who were born after 1957 and are unsure of their vaccination status or lack blood-test–confirmed immunity
People born before 1957 in the U.S. are often presumed immune because measles circulated widely then; however, if you are in a high-risk setting (like healthcare) or simply want certainty, your doctor can check your immunity with a blood test or recommend an MMR booster based on current guidelines.
What to Do If You May Have Been Exposed in King or Snohomish County
If you were at one of the locations and times listed by health officials, your next steps depend on your age, health status, and vaccination history.
1. Check official exposure lists and timing
Go to:
Confirm whether you (or your child) were present during the posted time windows. Simply visiting the same place on a different day or at a very different time usually does not count as a significant exposure.
2. Review your vaccination and immunity status
Ask yourself:
- Have I (or my child) received two documented doses of MMR vaccine?
- Was I born before 1957, or do I have a lab result showing measles immunity?
- Do I have any condition that weakens my immune system?
Generally:
- If you’ve had two doses of MMR or have lab-confirmed immunity, your risk of infection is very low. You’ll usually be advised simply to monitor for symptoms.
- If you’re unvaccinated, under-vaccinated, or immunocompromised, you may need additional steps such as emergency vaccination or immune globulin.
3. Consider post-exposure vaccination or treatment
Evidence-based options, when given quickly after exposure, can reduce the chance or severity of illness:
- MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure may protect against disease in people who are not fully immune.
- Immune globulin (IG) may be recommended within 6 days of exposure for high-risk individuals (infants, pregnant people without immunity, and some immunocompromised patients).
These decisions are very individual. Contact your healthcare provider or local health department as soon as possible if you think you qualify.
4. Monitor symptoms during the 21 days after exposure
Keep track of:
- New fever
- Cough, runny nose, or red eyes
- Rash that starts on the face and moves downward
If symptoms begin:
- Stay home and avoid public places (including work, school, daycare, and public transit).
- Call your clinic, urgent care, or emergency department before you arrive.
- Follow their guidance about when and how to enter the facility to protect others in the waiting area.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Family from Measles
The core message from decades of research is simple: vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles. The MMR vaccine is safe for the vast majority of people and has been studied around the world.
Recommended MMR schedule (CDC & Washington State)
- First dose: 12–15 months of age
- Second dose: 4–6 years of age (often given before kindergarten)
Adults who have not been vaccinated, or who are unsure of their status, can often receive catch-up doses. Certain groups—like students in post-secondary education, international travelers, and healthcare workers—may have stricter requirements.
Other practical prevention steps
- Stay home when sick: If you have a fever and rash, avoid public settings until you’ve spoken with a clinician—even if you’re not sure it’s measles.
- Keep school and childcare informed: If your child is unvaccinated or under-vaccinated, let schools or daycare providers know during outbreaks; they may have specific exclusion policies to keep everyone safe.
- Update travel vaccines: Measles remains more common in some parts of the world. The CDC recommends that travelers, including certain infants 6–11 months old, be protected with MMR before international trips.
A Real-World Example: One Family’s Measles Scare
A few years ago, a family I worked with went through a measles exposure in a different county. Their preschooler was fully vaccinated, but they had a six-month-old baby who was too young for the routine MMR dose.
After learning that another child at their daycare had been diagnosed with measles, they contacted their pediatrician the same day. Because the baby was still within the window for post-exposure protection, the medical team arranged for immune globulin and close follow-up. Their toddler, who had received two MMR doses, simply needed symptom monitoring.
The baby never developed measles. While that’s only one family’s story—and we can’t promise the same outcome for everyone—it highlights two key points:
- Rapid communication with healthcare providers makes a meaningful difference.
- Having older siblings fully vaccinated can reduce the risk of bringing measles home.
Common Obstacles to Getting Protected—and How to Overcome Them
If you’ve delayed or skipped the MMR vaccine, you’re not alone. People often share similar concerns, and most have practical solutions.
1. “I’m worried about vaccine safety.”
MMR is one of the most extensively studied vaccines in history. Large studies over decades have not found evidence that MMR causes autism or other long-term developmental problems. Like any medical intervention, it can have side effects, usually mild (fever, soreness, or a brief rash).
For a balanced view, you can review information from:
2. “I’m not sure we can afford it.”
In the U.S., most health insurance plans cover recommended vaccines like MMR without out-of-pocket costs. For children who are uninsured or underinsured, the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program supplies vaccines at no cost to families; clinics may charge a small administration fee that can often be waived.
3. “We’re too busy to schedule it.”
Many pharmacies, evening clinics, and weekend vaccine events now offer MMR for adults and, in some cases, older children. Consider:
- Scheduling MMR at the same visit as school physicals or sports exams.
- Using online appointment systems to find early-morning or after-work slots.
- Asking your clinic about “nurse-only” visits for vaccines, which are often quick.
What the Science Says About Measles and MMR (In Plain Language)
Decades of data support the effectiveness of the MMR vaccine:
- Two doses of MMR are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective, according to the CDC.
- Communities with high MMR coverage have far fewer outbreaks, even when travelers bring the virus in.
- Serious complications from measles—such as pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), and death—are far more common than serious vaccine side effects.
Importantly, no vaccine is 100% protective, which means a very small number of fully vaccinated people can still get measles. However, their illness tends to be milder, and widespread vaccination keeps outbreaks from becoming large.
Your Measles Exposure Action Plan: A Simple Checklist
To stay grounded and organized, it helps to have a clear plan. Here’s a practical checklist tailored to the current situation in King and Snohomish counties:
- Check exposure sites: Visit the King and Snohomish County health department websites and compare dates, locations, and times with your calendar.
- Gather records: Locate your and your children’s vaccination records or ask your clinic or pharmacy to check them.
- Call if needed: If you or a family member may have been exposed and are unvaccinated, pregnant, immunocompromised, or under 12 months old, call your healthcare provider or local health department to ask about MMR or immune globulin.
- Monitor for 21 days: Watch for fever, cough, red eyes, or rash, and keep children home if they’re sick.
- Schedule vaccines: If you’re missing MMR doses, consider booking an appointment in the coming days or weeks—outbreaks underscore the importance of being up to date.
Moving Forward: Stay Alert, Not Afraid
A measles exposure alert in your community is unsettling, especially when you’re responsible for the health of children or vulnerable loved ones. At the same time, you’re not powerless. Understanding how measles spreads, knowing your vaccination status, and following public health guidance give you a strong foundation for protecting yourself and those around you.
You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. Start with one step—checking your family’s MMR records, reviewing the official exposure list, or calling your clinic with questions. Each small, informed action contributes to a safer community.
If you live in King or Snohomish County (or recently visited), take a few minutes today to:
- Confirm whether you were at any listed locations during the exposure windows.
- Review your and your children’s MMR status.
- Reach out to a trusted healthcare professional if anything is unclear.
Staying calm, informed, and proactive is the most effective way to respond. You’re not alone in navigating this—local health departments, clinics, and evidence-based resources are there to support you.
