For immediate release
Jan. 8, 2026 

The Snohomish County Health Department and Public Health – Seattle & King County were notified of three confirmed measles cases over the recent holiday period, all within the same family. One adult and two children were infectious from Dec. 27, 2025, through Jan. 1, 2026, while visiting King and Snohomish counties on a trip from South Carolina. The parent reported having received at least one vaccine to protect against measles; the children were unvaccinated.

The family visited multiple locations in Marysville, Mukilteo and Everett while contagious – but before being diagnosed – with measles. They also traveled through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and visited a car rental facility near the airport.

If you are not immune to measles, or don’t know your vaccination status, please see the list below for locations and times of potential exposure.

Measles is on the rise in the U.S., where 2,144 cases were reported in 2025, the highest level since 1992. The South Carolina Department of Public Health has reported 26 new cases of measles in the state since Friday.

Health officials urge residents to check their status for the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine, which offers the best protection against the disease.

“Measles is one of the most contagious diseases we know, and often brings serious illness,” said Dr. James Lewis, Snohomish County Health Officer. “The MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent outbreaks and protect our community, especially for infants and those who cannot be vaccinated.”

The measles vaccine is extremely safe and incredibly effective. Two doses provide about 97% protection against getting infected by measles. The protection lasts a lifetime.  

For answers to frequent questions about measles, including how to protect your family if you’re traveling, visit the measles page on the Snohomish County Health Department website.

Locations of potential exposure to the public 

Spread of measles can occur before people know they have the disease and before any rash appears.  

The infected family was at the following public locations before being diagnosed with measles. These times include the estimated period when family members were at the location and two hours after. 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 following locations during the times listed could have been exposed to measles: 

What to do if you were in a location of potential measles exposure  

Most people in our area have immunity to measles through vaccination, so the risk to the general public is low. However, anyone who was in the locations of potential exposure to measles around the times listed should:  

• Find out if you have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles previously. Make sure you are up to date with the recommended number of MMR vaccinations.  
• Call a healthcare provider promptly if you develop an illness with fever or with an unexplained rash. To avoid possibly spreading measles to others, do not go to a clinic or hospital without calling first to tell them you want to be checked for measles after an exposure. It is also important to limit contact with others, especially those without known immunity.  

If you were at the locations at the times listed above and are not immune to measles, the most likely time you would become sick would be between Jan. 4 and Jan. 22. People who are immuno-compromised may take longer to experience symptoms.  

About measles  

Measles 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. 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.  

For more information about measles and measles vaccination: https://www.snohd.org/460/Measles

Contact:
Jeff Hodson, shd.pio@co.snohomish.wa.us