Measles Cases Have Just Been Confirmed in 4 More States

As the number of reported measles cases around the U.S. continues to grow, health department officials nationwide have been working hard to update the public with the most recent information on confirmed cases. As of February 28, the Texas Health and Human Services website reports 146 confirmed cases in a measles outbreak. And as of February 25, New Mexico health officials have 9 reported confirmed cases.

Tragically, the first U.S. death from measles since 2015 was also confirmed earlier this week in an unvaccinated child living in Texas.

Now, health officials in Kentucky, New Jersey, Washington, and California have issued updates on confirmed measles cases—and offered details on where members of the public may have been exposed.

Kentucky

• Confirmed case announced on February 26
• Current case is an adult
• Patient had “recently traveled internationally to an area with ongoing measles transmission”
• Vaccination status of the individual was not provided by health officials
• Patient visited a Planet Fitness gym at 101 Allen Way in Frankfort, KY, between 9 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. on February 17

New Jersey

• First confirmed case announced on February 14; two additional cases identified as of February 20
• Initial confirmed case was an adult; ages unclear for other two cases
• Recent international travel cited with first case; that individual had close contact with other two cases
• All three cases are in unvaccinated individuals
• Initial case is a resident of Bergen County, NJ, and visited the Englewood Hospital Emergency Department at 350 Engle Street, Englewood, NJ, between 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on February 9

The New Jersey Department of Health cautions anyone who visited the same emergency department during that time and date could experience measles symptoms as late as March 6.

Washington

• First confirmed case announced on February 27
• Current case is an infant
• Health officials say the infant “may have been exposed to measles during recent travel abroad”
• Vaccination status of the infant was not provided by health officials
• Patient was in the following locations recently:
  • Apple Store at Bellevue Square, 213 Bellevue Square, Bellevue, WA, between 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on February 20
  • Seattle Children’s Hospital Emergency Department, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA, between 10:30 p.m. to 2:15 a.m. on February 21 into February 22
  • Allegro Pediatrics – Bothell, 11724 NE 195th St, Ste 100, Bothell, WA, between 1 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. on February 24
  • Seattle Children’s Hospital Emergency Department, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA, between 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on February 25

California

• First confirmed case announced on February 25
• Current case is an infant
• Patient’s vaccination status was not provided by health officials
• Patient arrived into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on a Korean Air flight KAL11/KE11 on February 19
• Patient was in the Tom Bradley International Airport (TBIT) Terminal B, which is a part of LAX, from about 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Health officials were reaching out to passengers who may have been exposed due to their seat assignments on the Korean Airlines flight.

Health officials in Alaska, Georgia, New York, and Rhode Island have all also reported confirmed measles cases earlier this year.

Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to a measles case or experiences common measles symptoms, such as a high fever, rash that eventually spreads, or eyes that are watery and red, is urged to contact their healthcare team before arriving at a facility so necessary precautions can be taken.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends any unvaccinated individuals—including adults who were not vaccinated as children—receive the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Many pharmacies offer the MMR vaccine, and the CDC recommends talking with your doctor if you have questions about your vaccination status.

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