Canadian who visited 16 U.S. locations had measles, Seattle health officials say

The local public health office in Seattle is warning residents there of a confirmed case of measles in a Canadian resident who spent time in the region two weeks ago. The notice from Public Health — Seattle and King County says the person spent time in King and Snohomish counties between April 30 and May 3 while infectious, and adds that their vaccine status is unknown.  (The Seattle metropolitan area overlaps with three counties — King, Snohomish and Pierce.) “In addition to traveling through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the person visited multiple public locations in Renton, Bellevue, Seattle, Everett and Woodinville while contagious with measles, but before being diagnosed with measles,” the notice says. The notice then lists 16 locations alongside dates and times, including a winery, two fitness centres and a local hotel as “locations of potential exposure.” “These times include the estimated period when the individual was at the location and two hours after,” the notice says. “Measles virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after someone infectious with measles leaves the area. Anyone who was at the … locations during the times listed could have been exposed to measles.” The health authority says the case is not connected to any previous local measles cases. Public Health — Seattle and King County says it has responded to two other measles cases this year among people who traveled through King County but were not Washington state residents, adding there have been five cases of measles in Washington state residents this year. Measles was declared eliminated in Canada in 1998, and in the United States two years later. However, falling vaccination rates have caused outbreaks to occur in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., with cross-border transmission as well. Last month, the New York State Department of Health went so far as to issue a travel advisory for those who may be crossing the border, especially anyone travelling to Ontario. “Measles is only a car ride away!” says the advisory, published on April 2. “Around 90 per cent of people who are exposed to a person with measles will become infected if they are not vaccinated. Because measles is so contagious, it easily crosses borders.”

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