Health officials in King County have issued a warning regarding potential measles exposure at a West Seattle urgent care clinic. The alert follows a confirmed case of measles involving a child who visited the Franciscan Urgent Care facility in West Seattle on June 10, 2024.
The infected child, who was not vaccinated, is believed to have contracted the measles infection while traveling abroad. Public Health – Seattle & King County stated that the child was at the urgent care clinic during their infectious period, which includes a two-hour window on June 10.
Individuals who were present at the clinic between 3:30 pm and 8:00 pm on June 10 may have been exposed to the measles virus. Health officials have cautioned that measles can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the vicinity.
Those who were at the Franciscan Urgent Care-West Seattle location during the specified timeframe are advised to monitor their health closely between June 17 and July 21 for potential symptoms of measles. It is important to note that individuals with compromised immune systems may exhibit symptoms later than others.
Dr. Eric Chow, the Communicable Disease Chief for Public Health – Seattle & King County, emphasized the highly contagious nature of measles and the importance of vaccination. He urged individuals to verify their vaccination status and seek immunization if protection is lacking, especially in light of the increasing number of measles cases globally and in the United States.
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