Health Advisory: Measles Remains a Growing Concern in Washington

| March 10, 2026
stethoscope sitting on laptop keyboard

03/10/2026

Action Requested

  • Be aware measles continues to pose a serious public health concern in Washington and across the country.
  • Be aware the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed 26 measles cases across four counties this year, marking an increase from the three cases reported in a single county January 16.
    • Nearly 80% of reported cases in Washington this year are in children, including 16 cases among kids ages 5-17 and four cases in children younger than 5. Confirmed cases have been identified in Snohomish County (14 cases), Clark County (8 cases), Stevens County (3 cases), and Kittitas County (1 case). All measles cases have occurred in people who are unvaccinated (24 cases) or whose vaccine status is unknown (2 cases).
  • Be aware nationally, the United States has now surpassed 1,100 measles cases in 2026.
  • Isolate and Prevent Exposure
    • Have a planned triage process for patients with fever and rash so these patients are not waiting in common areas with other people.
      • Patients with rash and fever should not stay in waiting rooms or other common areas.
    • Tell the patient to enter through a back door wearing a mask. Or see the patient outside away from others.
      • If possible, have the patient enter through a back door wearing a mask, or evaluate the patient outside away from others.
    • Immediately isolate patients with suspected measles in an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR) or a private room with the door closed.
    • Ensure all staff who will contact the patient have documented immunity to measles.
    • After patient is discharged, do not use or have staff enter the room for 2 hours.
  • Notify
    • Report suspected measles cases to the Yakima Health District at (509) 249-6541 immediately AND before discharging or transferring patients. For reporting after hours and weekend, call (509) 575-4040 Option 1.
  • Test  
    • Collect the following specimens on patients with suspected measles:
      • Nasopharyngeal swab placed in viral transport media; AND
      • Urine, minimum 20mL, in sterile leak proof container; AND
      • Serum, minimum 1mL, in red top or red-grey top tube
    • Be aware, commercial testing cannot differentiate between wild-type measles and the vaccine strain in individuals who were vaccinated within the past 45 days. If measles is highly suspected and the patient was vaccinated within the last 45 days, testing should be conducted through the public health lab with prior approval from the Yakima Health District (YHD).
  • Vaccinate

Background

Measles illness starts with a prodrome of fever, cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis (typically lasting 2-4 days) and then a generalized maculopapular rash that typically begins on the face/head then spreads to the neck, trunk and extremities. Increases in measles cases and outbreaks are occurring in every region of the world.

CDC recommends all U.S. residents aged 6 months and older without evidence of immunity, who plan to travel internationally, get the MMR vaccine at least 2 weeks prior to departure. Infants 6 to 11 months of age who get the MMR vaccine before international travel should get an additional 2 doses of MMR according to the recommended schedule, after 1 year of age.

Report immediately

If you suspect measles or for any other questions about measles, please contact the Yakima Health District at (509) 249-6541. For reporting after hours and weekend, call (509) 575-4040 Option 1.

Resources for providers