King County health officials are warning the public of a string of possible measles exposure locations in Seattle and on the Eastside after confirming two residents tested positive for the virus this week.
The residents, adults who are related, were likely exposed to measles while traveling internationally, according to a Wednesday statement from Public Health - Seattle & King County. Before they were diagnosed and while contagious in late March, they visited two restaurants in Kirkland, as well as health care facilities in Bellevue and Seattle.
The adults were hospitalized, but have since been discharged. Their vaccination status is unknown, health officials said.
The cases are not linked to any of the state's previous infections.
“As we start traveling more during spring and summer months, we need to prepare for more potential exposure to measles, which is spreading in the U.S. and abroad, Dr. Sandra J. Valenciano, the health department's health officer and acting director, said in the statement.
The two cases announced Wednesday are the first in King County residents so far this year. The state has now counted 31 infections in 2026, including 14 in a Snohomish County outbreak, eight in Clark County, three in Stevens County, two in Grant County, one in Kittitas County and one in Spokane County.
Other cases have also been confirmed this year among people who have traveled through Washington but live in other states.
The possible exposure locations and times include:
* March 21, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. — Vovina, 15 Lake St. #103, Kirkland
* March 21, 7:45 to 11:45 p.m. — Ristorante Paradiso, 120 Park Lane Suite A, Kirkland
* March 24-25, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. — Kaiser Permanente Bellevue Medical Center Urgent Care, 11511 N.E. 10th St., Bellevue
* March 26-27, 6:45 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. — Kaiser Permanente Bellevue Medical Center Urgent Care, 11511 N.E. 10th St., Bellevue
* March 28, noon to 3 p.m. — Northcut Landing, 4915 25th Ave. N.E., Suite 300W, Seattle (including the main building elevators and lobby, and UW Medicine Urgent Care at Ravenna on the third floor)
* March 28, 1 to 10:30 p.m. — University of Washington Medical Center Montlake emergency department, 1959 N.E. Pacific St., Seattle
* March 28, 4:15 to 8:15 p.m. — Overlake Medical Center emergency department, 1035 116th Ave. N.E., Bellevue
* March 28-29, 11:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. — University of Washington Medical Center Northwest emergency department, 1550 N. 115th St., Seattle
* March 28-30, 11:45 to 8 p.m. — University of Washington Medical Center Northwest fifth floor, 1550 N. 115th St., Seattle
People infected with measles can spread the disease before symptoms appear. If you were in these locations during the times listed, health officials recommend finding out your vaccination status and calling a health care provider if you develop a fever or unexplained rash.
The measles virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infectious person leaves the area. The incubation period for measles is typically 10 to 14 days from exposure to onset of symptoms, with a complete range of seven to 21 days. If you were exposed sometime in the last two weeks, the most likely time you would become sick is between March 28 and April 20, according to the health department.
To avoid possible spreading measles, do not go to a hospital or health care facility without calling first, health officials said.
Measles is an extremely contagious and potentially severe disease that can cause fever, rash, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. An infection can lead to ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia and, rarely, encephalitis or death.
Complications can happen even in healthy people, but those at highest risk include infants and children under 5, adults over 20, pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems from medications or underlying disease.
State and local health officials point to the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine as the best way to protect against severe disease. The MMR vaccine is safe, highly effective and lasts a lifetime. Two doses offer 97% protection against the virus.
"It’s a preventable disease that can cause some serious complications, like swelling of the brain," Valenciano said in the statement. "Before you travel, check with your provider to make sure you and your family have had two doses of MMR vaccine or otherwise have immunity.
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