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Confirmed measles exposure at Swedish Mill Creek Emergency Department in Snohomish County

Published Date

Providence Swedish and Snohomish County Health Department are contacting those who may have been exposed to the disease. 

In consultation with Snohomish County Health Department, Providence Swedish confirms that three pediatric patients were seen Tuesday, Jan. 13 at the Swedish Mill Creek Campus, 13020 Meridian Ave. S., Everett, with fever, rash, known exposure to measles and were unvaccinated. Testing confirmed all three patients tested positive for measles.  

Swedish Mill Creek staff followed appropriate measles screening precautions and protocols to ensure the health and safety of our patients, their family members and our caregivers.  

Snohomish County Health Department is contacting people who may have been exposed at the Swedish Mill Creek Campus and providing them directions for further care and/or vaccination.  

Providence Swedish urges anyone who visited Swedish Mill Creek on Jan. 13 between 12:50-3:50 p.m. to seek medical advice and monitor for symptoms from Wednesday, Jan. 21 through Tuesday, Feb. 3.

 

About Measles 

Measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease, causing fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. If one person contracts measles, up to nine out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. The disease mainly spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. 

Measles symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure, and a person with measles is contagious from about four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appears. People can spread measles before they have the characteristic measles rash. Measles can lead to ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, and rarely, encephalitis (brain inflammation) or death. 

Healthy people can experience complications from measles, but those at highest risk include infants and children under five years, adults over 20 years, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems. 

To prevent the measles, Providence Swedish strongly recommends everyone receives the safe and highly effective MMR vaccine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles and provides long-lasting protection. 

For more information, see the Snohomish County Health Department’s news release about this measles exposure.