Measles In Pierce County: Sea-Tac, Target, Costco Added To List

TACOMA, WA — The number of confirmed measles cases and possible sites of public exposure in Pierce County grew Wednesday to include big box shopping centers and the Sea-Tac International Airport, according to the latest measles report from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.

As previously reported on Patch, a man in his 40s contracted measles in Pierce County sometime between April 19 and May 1 before then exposing others to the viral disease in Orting, Puyallup, and Bonney Lake between May 6 and 11. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department on May 12 confirmed the sickness and potential exposure.

On May 15, the health department confirmed another case and added to the list of possible exposure locations.

Altogether, 77 measles cases have been confirmed across the state, with the vast majority (71) occurring in Clark County. As of Wednesday, three cases were confirmed in King County, two cases were confirmed in Pierce County, and one was confirmed for Snohomish County.

Of those who've contracted measles, the health department said 52 patients are between 1 and 10 years old; 10 of the cases occurred in people between 19 and 59 years old, and 15 cases occurred in people between 11 and 18 years old.

Originally reported exposure sites:

• Orting Transmission, 130 Corrin Ct. NW in Orting
  • May 6, between 5 and 7:15 p.m.
  • May 7, between 5 and 8 p.m.
  • May 10, between 3:15 and 5:45 p.m., and between 6:30 and 9 p.m.
• Orting High School, 320 Washington Ave. N. in Orting
  • May 6, from 6 to 10 p.m. for the Orting City Planning Meeting.
  • May 7, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. for the Orting Junior Dance Team Banquet.
• Discount Tire, 19815 S. Prairie Rd. E. in Bonney Lake
  • May 9, between 4 and 7:30 p.m.
• Skookum Archery, 11209 Shaw Rd. E. in Puyallup
  • May 9, between 6 and 9:30 p.m.
• Sound Family Medicine Bonney Lake Walk-in Clinic, 10004 204 Ave. in Bonney Lake
  • May 11, between 8 and 10:30 a.m.

Newly listed locations:

• Sea-Tac International Airport
  • May 6 – 10, between 5:30 and 8 a.m. in the following areas:
    • The airport's main parking garage (eighth floor), the far southern garage elevator, the fourth level breezeway to escalator, and the terminal to baggage claim area.
  • May 6 - 10, between 2 and 5 p.m. in the following areas:
    • Baggage claim area to escalator, fourth level breezeway, far southern garage elevator, and eighth floor parking garage.
  • May 7, from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the general area around gate A10.
  • May 9, from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the general area around gate A10.
• 76 Gas Station Market, 2841 S. 188th St. in SeaTac
  • May 10, from 6:30 to 8:40 a.m.
• Target at South Hill Mall, 3310 S. Meridian in Puyallup
  • May 11, anytime between 10:35 a.m. and 1:50 p.m.
• Costco, 1201 39th Ave. SW in Puyallup
  • May 11 (no specific times were provided)

If you believe you've contracted measles in Pierce County, call the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department at 253-798-6410.

Symptoms include between two and four days of fever, cough, coryza and conjunctivitis, followed by a rash that begins on the head or face before spreading downward on the body.

Click here for the county-provided suspect measles-evaluation worksheet to determine whether a patient with a rash should be checked for measles.

For more information on measles, including how to report to hospital if you've contracted the disease, visit www.tpchd.org/measles.