Washington State has reported its first case of measles in 2025. Here's what to know.

[5 min read]

In this article:

• Washington State's first case of measles in 2025 has been reported in King County.
• In the first two months of 2025, there have been 165 cases of measles reported in the United States; children are the majority of those affected. 
• Measles is a potentially deadly disease and is highly contagious, yet 97% preventable with the two-dose MMR vaccination.
• Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist Frank Bell, M.D., emphasizes that vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your children. 

Seattle and King County public health officials have reported Washington State's first case of measles in 2025 in a King County infant. The report comes days after an unvaccinated infant in Texas died of the disease. The Texas child was the first U.S. death from measles in a decade.

The Seattle-area infant may have been exposed to measles during recent travel abroad. Exposed individuals should check to make sure they have been vaccinated against measles. 

“In the back of my mind, I’m always concerned about measles. As soon as we hear there are measles outbreaks near us, we worry even more,” said Frank Bell, M.D., a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Swedish Pediatric Specialty Care. 

Dr. Bell has served as Washington State chapter board member for the American Academy of Pediatrics and was designated by SeattleMet as a Pediatric Infectious Disease Top Doc each year between 2020 and 2023.

“For public health, this recent measles outbreak is a huge concern and poses a real threat to unvaccinated kids in our state and in every state,” Dr. Bell explained. 

During measles infection, the measles virus is present in the secretions lining an infected person’s nose and throat — from there it very easily can spread to others through coughing or sneezing. If others breathe the same air or touch a surface that is contaminated, they can become infected with the measles virus.

Why public health officials are worried about this measles outbreak

“The current situation is precarious because immunization rates aren’t as high as they need to be. Measles vaccination rates need to be higher to keep our kids and communities safe. This is a very serious disease, and we have a safe and effective vaccine to prevent it,” Dr. Bell says. He adds that even a small outbreak has an enormous impact on health systems because hundreds of public health experts need to get involved to try to control the spread.

One reason even small outbreaks of measles are taken so seriously is that a handful of people with measles can turn into hundreds of cases in a very short time. That’s because measles is probably the most highly infectious, or transmissible, of all airborne diseases. For comparison, COVID-19 and the flu are much less contagious than measles. Evan Sylvester, director of infection prevention at Providence Swedish, points out that one person with measles can potentially infect 15 others, while someone with the flu can potentially infect two others. 

“For public health, this recent measles outbreak is a huge concern and poses a real threat to unvaccinated kids in our state and in every state.” - Frank Bell, M.D., pediatric infectious disease specialist 

An infected person can spread measles to others up to four days before their symptoms first appear. And if you are exposed and infected, even without symptoms, you might go on to spread measles to others up to three weeks after exposure. Combined with it being so highly contagious, this creates a scary scenario, particularly for those with compromised immune systems.

“Four days of exposing others without knowing it’s measles makes it very challenging to control a measles outbreak,” Dr. Bell says, emphasizing that you don’t even have to come in contact with an infected person to catch it. Since it’s an airborne disease, you are exposed to the virus simply by being in the same space within a few hours of an infected person.

“If you’re in an elevator within two hours of a person infected with measles,” Dr. Bell explains, “you’re likely to become infected.”

An increase in international travel is concerning for public health officials, particularly during times of outbreak. Infectious disease specialists have worked hard to get immunization rates back up where they need to be after the COVID pandemic prevented some families from staying up to date on their vaccines. In the case of measles, it takes about 95% of a community’s members to be vaccinated for that community to be protected against the disease.

Symptoms and complications of measles

Most cases of the measles are mild, but cause a lot of discomfort. Signs of the measles include a rash all over the body, high fever and a troublesome cough. Tiny white spots may appear inside the mouth, and most people have a runny nose and red, watery eyes.

Ear infections are the most common side effect from measles. Congestion can lead to croup and upper or lower respiratory complications such as pneumonia, which is the most common cause of death among kids with measles. Death is not common, but the disease can cause serious problems, especially for babies and young children.

“There is a long list of potential complications from measles,” says Dr. Bell. “Neurological complications are a big concern, sometimes showing up in patients up to 10 years after a person was infected with measles.”

Encephalitis, for example, is an inflammation of brain tissue that can result from measles.

“If you have a fever and an all-over rash,” advises Dr. Bell, “be sure to call ahead before visiting any clinic or emergency department and let them know you are worried about measles. You can call from the parking lot after you arrive. Wear a mask when you go inside.”

This advanced warning allows staff to prepare a separate space for your care, away from other patients. Some children who are infected with measles require care in a hospital and must be kept away from others to reduce potential spread of the virus.

Get your MMR vaccination

Before the measles virus vaccine was widely available, there were 3 to 4 million cases — and about 500 deaths — each year in the U.S. In 1971, the measles immunization was combined to create the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, or MMR vaccine. Once vaccinations became mandated by public schools in all 50 states by 1981, spread of the disease faced a major decline.

Two doses are recommended for the MMR vaccination. A single dose is 93% effective in preventing the disease. Two doses protect with 97% effectiveness.

“Make sure each of your family member’s MMR immunizations are up to date. A lot of kids are not fully vaccinated,” Dr. Bell says. “We fear for these unvaccinated kids during this recent outbreak. This is a good time to make sure your kids are up to date with their measles vaccine.”

Read the CDC’s immunization recommendations:

CDC vaccine schedule for birth to age 6

CDC vaccine schedule for 7 to 18 years

CDC vaccine schedule for adults in English or Spanish

Learn more and find a physician or advanced practice clinician (APC)

If you have questions about vaccinations or your child’s wellness health, Swedish Pediatrics can help. If your kids aren’t up to date on immunizations, particularly the measles vaccine, call their pediatrician today to schedule a visit.

You can contact Swedish Primary Care to schedule an appointment with a primary care provider. If you or a child has symptoms, you can connect virtually with your provider to review the symptoms, provide instruction and follow up as needed. With Swedish ExpressCare Virtual you can receive treatment in minutes for common conditions such as colds, flu, urinary tract infections, and more. If you don’t have a doctor, use our provider directory to find a specialist or primary care physician near you.

Information for patients and visitors

Additional resources

Protect your family from RSV, because it isn't just a cold

Whooping cough is making a comeback. Here’s what you should know.

Keep kids healthy, safe with recommended vaccines

Growing Up Safely: Immunizations + Health | Talk with a Doc Podcast 

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

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