2 measles cases reported in King County from pair who traveled internationally

Measles Outbreaks Spread In U.S. NEW YORK - 1958: In this handout from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the skin of a patient after three days of measles infection is seen at a New York hospital in 1958. Measles outbreaks have been reported throughout the U.S., with the latest reported February 5, 2015 at a daycare in suburban Chicago where as many as five children under the age of one have been infected. (Photo by CDC via Getty Images) (Handout/Getty Images)

By KIRO 7 News Staff

SEATTLE — Public Health – Seattle & King County has announced two cases of measles in residents who traveled internationally together where they were likely exposed.

Before they were diagnosed with measles, the two individuals visited multiple locations in Seattle, Kirkland and Bellevue while infectious.

Find those locations here.

People infected with measles can spread the disease before they know they are infected or before any physical symptoms like a rash appear.

According to the health department, measles symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure. Measles is contagious from about four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appears.

The vaccination status of the pair is unknown.

According to King County’s measles page, these are the first two measles cases reported in 2026. That reflects the number of cases in residents, not the number of people who traveled through King County while contagious with measles.

There have been 29 cases of measles in Washington state residents so far in 2026, including an outbreak in Snohomish County.

Health officials say getting two doses of the MMR vaccine is 97% of preventing measles.

Declines in measles vaccination rates have increased the risk of measles outbreaks in Washington, the U.S., and around the world, according to King County.