Measles case in a King County resident associated with international travel

Actions requested

• Be aware of a confirmed measles case in a King County child who traveled internationally.  
• Secondary cases, including from possible public exposures, could occur between June 12-July 4, 2024.
• Isolate
• Have a planned triage process for patients with fever and rash so these patients are not waiting in common areas with other people.
• Patients with rash and fever should not remain in waiting rooms or other common areas.
• Immediately isolate patients with suspected measles in airborne infection isolation room (AIIR) or a private room with a closed door.
• Follow standard and airborne precautions when evaluating suspected cases, regardless of vaccination status.
• After patient is discharged, do not use or have staff enter the room for 2 hours.
• Notify
• Report suspected measles cases to Public Health at 206-296-4774 immediately AND before discharging or transferring patients.
• Public Health will ensure appropriate, rapid testing and investigation.
• Test
• Collect the following specimens on patients with suspected measles:
• Nasopharyngeal swab placed in viral transport media; AND
• Urine, minimum 20mL, in sterile leak proof container; AND
• Serum, minimum 1mL, in red top or red-grey top tube
• Public Health will facilitate diagnostic testing with Washington State Public Health Laboratory (WAPHL).
• Manage
• Health care facilities should identify potentially exposed persons at the facility (patients, visitors, staff and volunteers).
• Public Health will identify close contacts and recommend post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for eligible people.
• Vaccinate
• Assess immunization status of patients at every visit and strongly recommend vaccination based on recommended schedule, health condition, occupation, and other risk factors such as travel.
• Under-vaccinated individuals may be at risk for measles infection due to outbreaks that occur in the US or anywhere else in the world.
• Ask patients about upcoming international travel and recommend vaccination based on recommended schedule, and other risk factors such as travel, health condition and age.