Measles Case Confirmed in Alaska Resident at Sea-Tac Airport
A measles case has been confirmed in an Alaska resident who traveled through Sea-Tac Airport last week while infectious. This news raises concern as measles is a highly contagious disease, and people who are not immune can easily be exposed in crowded areas.
What Happened at Sea-Tac Airport? Public Health – Seattle & King County reported that the infected individual was likely exposed to measles abroad. The person passed through several locations at Sea-Tac Airport on January 10, 2025, including the S Concourse (Gate S8) and the International Arrivals Facility. The risk of exposure is highest between 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. during that time.
What You Need to Know: If you were at Sea-Tac Airport during the specified times and have not been vaccinated or do not know your vaccination status, there is a risk of exposure to measles. Public Health recommends checking your vaccination status and getting the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is about 97% effective.
Measles can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area. So, anyone who was at the airport during those hours could potentially become sick with measles between January 17 and 31, 2025.
What to Do if Exposed:
- Check if you’ve had the MMR vaccine or if you’ve had measles before.
- If you develop a fever or unexplained rash, contact a healthcare provider immediately and let them know you might have been exposed to measles.
- It’s important to limit contact with others, especially those who are not vaccinated or are immuno-compromised.
Why Vaccination Matters: Vaccination is key to preventing the spread of measles, and Public Health emphasizes that most people in the area have immunity. However, anyone who is not protected should take precautions. The MMR vaccine offers lifetime protection, which is crucial for public health safety.
For more information on the measles vaccine and to check your vaccination status, visit CDC’s Official Measles Page.