Measles Exposure in Spokane County
For Immediate Release
August 20, 2025
Confirmed measles exposure at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital
Providence is contacting those who may have been exposed to the disease
SPOKANE, Wash. -- Providence and the Spokane Regional Health District confirmed a case of measles in a Kootenai County resident who may have exposed others in Spokane County. Before being diagnosed, the individual visited several areas within Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital. Measles was identified during their third visit, at which point Providence took extra precautions and placed the patient in isolation.
All potentially exposed people are currently being notified and provided with treatment options, in coordination with the Spokane Regional Health District.
Before receiving the measles diagnosis, the individual was in the following public locations. Anyone who was at the following locations during the times listed was possibly exposed to measles:
- Providence Sacred Heart Pediatric and Adult Emergency Departments: Tuesday, Aug. 12 (11:14 a.m. – 5:27 p.m.)
- Providence Sacred Heart Pediatric and Adult Emergency Departments: Wednesday, Aug. 13 (6:02 p.m. – 12:54 a.m.)
- Providence Sacred Heart Pediatric Oncology & Hematology Specialty Clinic: Friday, Aug. 15 (9:30 a.m. – 8:27 p.m.)
Patients who develop symptoms should seek remote evaluation by a health care professional or through Providence ExpressCare. Do not come directly into a clinic or hospital. If a patient travels to a facility, they should remain outside, in the parking lot and call the facility for further instructions.
While the pediatric and adult emergency departments share the same entrance, they maintain separate waiting areas. Based on current assessments, the risk to individuals who visited the adult emergency department is considered low.
Most people in our area have immunity to measles through vaccination. Anyone who has not been vaccinated or previously had the measles should contact their health care provider about receiving an MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. In addition, they need to be aware of the symptoms and contact their health care provider at the first sign of the illness.
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.
People infected with measles are contagious four days before the rash starts through four days after the rash appears. The incubation period for measles from exposure to fever is usually about seven to 10 days, and from exposure to rash onset is usually about 10-14 days (with a range of seven to 21 days.) People can spread measles before they have the characteristic measles rash. Measles can lead to ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, and in rare cases, 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.
Vaccination offers safe, effective measles protection
To prevent measles, Providence strongly recommends everyone receive 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 providing long-lasting protection.
About Providence--
Providence is a not-for-profit Catholic health care ministry committed to providing for the needs of the communities it serves – especially for those who are poor and vulnerable. In Eastern Washington, the Providence network of services includes Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, Providence Holy Family Hospital and Providence St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Medical Center – all nationally recognized for quality care, as well as two critical access hospitals in Colville and Chewelah. It also includes a full continuum of services under Providence Medical Group – Providence Medical Park in Spokane Valley (a comprehensive multi-specialty center), three urgent care centers, home health, assisted living, adult day health, skilled nursing care, and over 90 specialty and primary care clinics throughout Eastern Washington. Providence Medical Group includes more than 850 physicians and advanced practitioners. Its medical staff includes primary care providers, surgical subspecialists, and medical specialists. For more information, visit www.providence.org.--- -
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