In mid-May, a traveler with measles passed through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, putting fellow passengers at risk. Public Health - Seattle & King County announced on Friday that an adult, whose name remains undisclosed, traveled through the bustling airport on May 10 and 11 while infectious. The individual, a resident of Arizona, likely contracted the measles while traveling to or around Europe.

The vaccine status of the infected traveler remains unknown, emphasizing the importance of vaccination. Dr. Eric Chow, the communicable disease chief for Public Health - Seattle & King County, emphasized that measles is highly contagious, and even being in the same room as an infected person can lead to transmission. With an increase in measles cases worldwide and in the US, Dr. Chow urged people to check their vaccination status and get vaccinated if they are not protected.

Measles symptoms typically appear within seven to fourteen days of exposure to the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Common symptoms include a tell-tale rash, high fever, cough, and a runny nose.

Passengers who passed through Sea-Tac airport between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on May 10, as well as those who were in the A Concourse between 7:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on May 11, are considered at risk of exposure. Sea-Tac airport, which saw 50.8 million flyers last year, serves as a major international travel hub.

Authorities are urging individuals who may have been in contact with the infected traveler to check their vaccination status and contact their doctor immediately if they develop any possible symptoms.

The potential exposure at Sea-Tac airport comes amidst reports of an international measles outbreak, leading the CDC to tighten its travel guidance two months ago. In the United States, there have been 146 reported cases of measles as of Friday, surpassing the annual total of 58 in 2023, according to CDC data. The majority of cases are concentrated among patients under 5 years old, with 83% of them being unvaccinated or unaware of their vaccination status.