Measles - are you at risk?

Measles is spread by coughing

By Diane Hettrick

Just in case you are wondering about the King county measles cases, I have been following the Public Health reports. So far, of the six cases reported in King County, five are linked to SeaTac airport.

With the exception of the Canadian who traveled home via Kenmore Air on April 28th, none of the five got any farther north than 3rd Ave in downtown Seattle.

Since symptoms appear 7-10 days after exposure, you are safe from the Kenmore incident.

The last case is a baby who was taken to the emergency room at Children's on May 24th. 

Measles (rubeola) is an airborne virus, spread by coughing, sneezing, or just breathing. The virus can stay in the air for two hours.

If you have had measles or if you have been vaccinated, you are protected. If you were born before 1957, the CDC isn't worried about you.

The vaccine, MMR, is for mumps and two kinds of measles - the current problem of rubeola and the more serious rubella.

If you aren't sure and you are concerned, consult your physician. Or you can just get another vaccine - the health department says there's no harm to an additional dose of vaccine.

There are public health clinics at Northgate, Edmonds, and Lynnwood that provide low-cost services and don't usually charge visit fees.