Measles Outbreak: WA Cases Linked to SC

The Upstate South Carolina measles outbreak has been linked to several new cases in Washington, after three children in Seattle tested positive. The Snohomish County Health Department said the three children were exposed to a contagious family visiting from South Carolina.The children from Washington tested positive on Jan. 14. Health officials said they had experienced fever, cough and rashes consistent with measles. The children were unvaccinated against the disease.For the latest information on the South Carolina outbreak, click here.“We’re expecting more measles cases as a result of the previous exposures as well as these new outbreak cases,” said Snohomish County Health Officer Dr. James Lewis. “We are hoping to contain it, but unfortunately there have been a number of exposure sites already and there are likely more cases in the community that we do not know about yet.”Lewis conferred with the Washington State Department of Health before declaring the outbreak. An outbreak is when three or more people in the same community get measles that has spread from one person to another.Officials said most people in Snohomish County have immunity to measles through vaccination, so the risk to the general public is low.Prior to the new cases in Washington, health officials were notified that three members of a South Carolina family – one adult and two children – were infectious while visiting King and Snohomish counties from Dec. 27, 2025, through Jan. 1, 2026. According to officials, the family visited multiple locations in Everett, Marysville and Mukilteo while contagious – but before being diagnosed – with measles.The South Carolina family also traveled through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and visited a car rental facility near the airport.Potential Exposure SitesMcDonald’s 530 128th St. SW, Everett, WA 98204Dec. 27, 20251 PM – 3 PMSlavic Christian Church Awakening4223 78th St SW, Mukilteo, WA 98275Dec. 28, 20252 PM – 6:30 PMFlying Squirrel Trampoline Park1325 SE Everett Mall Way, Everett, WA 98208Dec. 29, 202511 AM – 2 PMChick-fil-A8810 36th Ave, Marysville, WA 98270Dec. 29,20251 PM – 3 PMMukilteo-Clinton Ferry Mukilteo, WA 98275Dec. 30, 20251 PM – 3 PMFisherman Jack’s1410 Seiner Dr., Everett, WA 98201Dec. 30, 20256 PM – 9:30 PMTravelers on rental car shuttles going to and from the airport and the Consolidated Rental Car Facility3150 S 160th, SeaTac, WA, 98188Jan. 1, 20266:45 AM – 9 AMSeattle-Tacoma International Airport N Concourse(Gate N4) + Green Train LineSea-Tac, WA, 98158Jan. 1, 20267 AM – 11:15 AMStellar Kids Dentistry Everett111 SE Everett Mall Way, Everett, WA, 98208Jan. 8, 20269:30 AM to 12:30 PMPathfinder Kindergarten Center (Mukilteo School District)11401 Beverly Park Rd, Everett, WA, 98204Jan. 9, 20268:30 AM to 5:15 PMSerene Lake Elementary School (Mukilteo School District)4709 Picnic Point Rd, Edmonds, WA 98026Jan. 9, 20268:30 AM to 5:15 PMSwedish Mill Creek Campus medical facility13020 Meridian Ave. S., Everett, WA, 98208Jan. 13, 20261:10 PM to 3:10 PMAbout MeaslesMeasles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that causes fever, rash, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected. It mainly spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes.  The incubation period for measles is 10 to 14 days from exposure to onset of symptoms, with a range of 7 to 21 days. For people exposed at the schools, that would be through Jan. 30. For those who were at Swedish Mill Creek, that would be through Feb. 3. Measles is contagious from about 4 to 5 days before the rash appears through 4 days after the rash appears. People can spread measles before they have the characteristic measles rash.  Measles can lead to ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, and rarely, encephalitis (brain inflammation) or death.  Complications from measles can happen even in healthy people, but those at highest risk include infants and children under 5 years, adults over 20 years, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems from medications or underlying disease.  If you are in one of these high-risk groups and were exposed to measles at one of these locations, be sure to contact your health care provider to discuss any steps you need to take to protect yourself or loved ones against complications from measles.