Provider News

Third Patient with Measles Being Treated at Seattle Children’s

April 22, 2025

Key Information: A third patient is being treated at Seattle Children’s for measles. There were multiple exposure windows at Seattle Children’s and additional community exposures in King County. It is vital that Seattle Children’s Mission Control (206-987-8899) is contacted by the patient’s treating provider prior to the patient being directed to the hospital while they remain at the referring facility.

Seattle Children’s is treating a third pediatric patient who has tested positive for measles after traveling internationally. The patient came to Children’s on April 17, 18 and 20, and was admitted on April 20. Because of the nature of this exposure at Seattle Children’s, we are unable to trace and contact all people who may be exposed. Our inpatient teams are working directly with patients and their caregivers and visitors that may have been exposed while at the hospital during the below windows. In addition, we are working to identify Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Emergency Department and Urgent Care patients who may have been exposed.

The exposure windows and locations at Seattle Children’s are:

Thursday, April 17, 2025:

8:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: Seattle Children’s Emergency Department lobby

5:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.: Forest B level 1 lobby and Forest Pharmacy

Friday, April 18, 2025:

11:50 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Ocean 6, 7, and 8 lobbies, Ocean 7 Starbucks, Ocean 8 hallway to Urgent Care, and Ocean 8 Urgent Care lobby

Sunday, April 20, 2025:

12:05 p.m. to 2:25 p.m.: Ocean 6, 7, and 8 lobbies, Ocean 8 hallway to Urgent Care, and Ocean 8 Urgent Care lobby

Additional community exposure occurred at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport – please see Public Health – Seattle & King County’s media release for additional details.

Because measles is infectious before the rash appears, we’re finding that many patients have multiple healthcare visits before being diagnosed. These early visits aren't missed cases, but rather instances where patients hadn’t yet developed enough specific symptoms or risk factors to prompt measles testing. We encourage our community partners remain vigilant with measles screening and follow-up visits to minimize community exposure.

Community members who may have been exposed and are unsure about their vaccination status or have other questions should contact their PCP or defer to their local health department.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Directing Patients to Seattle Children’s Who May Have Measles

Many of the patients treated at Seattle Children’s are medically complex and/or immunocompromised. For that reason, we have patients who may have measles enter the ED by an alternate route. If you are considering sending a patient to Seattle Children’s with concern for measles, please note these important considerations and steps:

Contact Mission Control at 206-987-8899 prior to directing the patient to Seattle Children’s. The patient should remain at the referring facility so key information can be conveyed to them by their care team.
The provider that is currently treating the patient should be the person contacting Mission Control so that our team can gather the most accurate clinical information and ask clarifying questions.
We will work directly with you and the family on facilitating evaluation and treatment, while reducing exposure.
Please note that Mission Control is for provider-to-provider use only and families should not be directed to call this number.

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Information

Measles post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a strategy used to prevent or reduce the severity of measles in some patients who have been exposed to the virus. The need for post-exposure prophylaxis for measles is dependent on the timing of exposure as well as a patient’s age, health status, and prior immunization status. There are two main options for PEP in children, outlined below. Patients eligible for the MMR vaccine should have that administered by their PCP. For patients who need Immune Globulin, please see details below on instructions for directing those patients to Seattle Children’s.

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
- Who: Given to children ≥6 months old who are not fully vaccinated and were exposed to measles within the past 72 hours.
- Considerations:
  - If given before 12 months of age, the child will still need the routine MMR doses at 12–15 months and 4–6 years.
  - Not recommended for immunocompromised children.
Immune Globulin (forms include Intramuscular [referred to as both IMIG and IGIM] and Intravenous [IVIG])
- Who:
  - Exposed infants <6 months old (who cannot receive MMR).
  - Exposed infants 6 through 11 months old who did not receive MMR within 72 hours after exposure
  - Exposed severely immunocompromised children (e.g., those with cancer, primary immunodeficiencies).
  - Exposed pregnant people who are nonimmune to measles
- Timing: Must be given within 6 days of exposure.
- Considerations:
  - The specific form of immune globulin used will depend on patient age and product availability.
  - PEP should be given as soon as possible after exposure.
  - Close contacts (e.g., household members, healthcare providers) should also be evaluated for PEP if unvaccinated.
  - Before getting an MMR vaccine, wait at least 6 months for those who receive IMIG, and at least 8 months for those who receive IVIG.

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis and Suspected Measles Testing Procedures at Seattle Children’s

It is vital that Seattle Children’s is made aware of patients being directed to the hospital in advance of their arrival. Providers should call Mission Control (206-987-8899) to notify us that they are directing a patient to Seattle Children’s for PEP or suspected measles testing. Mission Control will work with our teams to facilitate evaluation and treatment while reducing exposure. Please note that Mission Control is for provider-to-provider use only and families should not be directed to call this number.

Reminder: Patients eligible for the MMR vaccine as PEP should have that administered by their PCP.

About Measles

Measles is a highly contagious disease, but it is preventable with vaccines. A patient with measles can expose a large number of people within healthcare settings, so identifying potential cases early is crucial.

Measles symptoms include: