A sixth case of the measles now has people in Auburn on high alert. We learned Friday a woman in her 40's may have exposed people in several public locations.
Health officials believe everyone who has gotten sick with the measles so far may have been in contact with one individual who was at SeaTac Airport on April 25, likely in the morning. The WA State Department of Health first called this latest round of measles a new “outbreak” on Wednesday.
As more people come down with measles, health departments are listing more exposure sites - and the newest ones are in Auburn.
One of those sites is at the Fred Meyer in Auburn, at 801 Auburn Way N.
“It’s kind of scary to hear that because this is where I come all the time with my sister to shop,” said Luana Nelson-Davis, who lives in Auburn.
Health officials say a new measles patient was there shopping last Saturday. The news has Fred Meyer shoppers trying to think back and figure out if they were exposed.
“Was I here? Because I come here weekly to do my shopping, so was I here last weekend? But no,” said Becky Miller, another Auburn resident. “Still scary, still very scary,” she said.
The new measles patient also came to Building A of the Villas apartments at least four times last week (1221 A St NE, Building A, Auburn WA 98002).
It's now also considered a measles exposure site.
“I didn’t even know that the measles outbreak was here - which is my building - so I was kind of shocked to hear it,” said Lina Kim, who didn’t know about the exposure until KIRO7 talked with her.
Kim, a mom, said her kids are vaccinated. But like many adults, she remember if she's had the vaccine.
“I don't know if I'm vulnerable to get affected, so it's kind of alarming,” she said.
Health officials say anyone in the locations of potential exposure 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 measles (MMR) vaccinations.
• Call a healthcare provider promptly if you develop an illness with fever or illness 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 evaluated for measles.
• Vaccination or medication can be given after exposure in some cases to prevent illness – check with your healthcare provider. This is especially important for people at high risk for measles complications.
Doctors say another measles vaccine even if you've already had one (but forgot) will not cause any harm.
People at the apartment complex in Auburn say the potential exposure there is particularly concerning because there are many families there have infants too young to be immunized.
“A lot, a lot, every single floor probably have families with young kids. Babies,” Kim said.
This latest case of the woman in her 40’s is the third person in King County to get measles in the new outbreak.
The others include a teacher at Issaquah high, and someone who works in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood.
In Pierce County there are two cases - a man from Orting, and someone who went to the Costco and Target in Puyalllup.
In Snohomish County, there's 1 case - a student of North Creek High School.
All six have recently been to SeaTac Airport.
Health officials say they have no reason to believe that there is currently an increased risk of getting measles by going to the airport.
Current list of potential exposure sites:
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