Health officials confirmed a measles case linked to a traveler who passed through Seattle–Tacoma International Airport on Jan. 22, 2026, touching areas of Concourse A and the International Arrivals Hall. The traveler was at the airport between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; persons present in the identified locations and lacking immunity may develop symptoms between Jan. 29 and Feb. 12, 2026. Public health agencies are urging anyone uncertain of their vaccination status to verify records or obtain MMR vaccination, and advising exposed, unimmunized people born after 1956 to quarantine for 21 days. The case report was entered on Feb. 12, 2026, amid an ongoing measles outbreak in Snohomish County.
Key takeaways
- A measles case was linked to a traveler at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport on Jan. 22, 2026; presence at the airport was between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Exposure locations: Concourse A near Gate A12, International Arrivals Hall at baggage claim 22, and the lower-level south exit of the main terminal.
- The likely incubation window after exposure is Jan. 29–Feb. 12, 2026; the case was reported Feb. 12, 2026.
- Snohomish County has reported six confirmed measles cases after three additional cases were confirmed since an outbreak declaration about two weeks earlier.
- Washington state offers free MMR vaccination to children under 19; most adult vaccine costs are covered by insurance and Medicare Part B.
- Those born after 1956 who are unimmunized and have never had measles should quarantine for 21 days after exposure.
- Anyone with fever or unexplained rash after exposure should call a health care provider before visiting to prevent further transmission.
Background
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that resurfaces periodically where vaccination gaps exist. The disease spreads via respiratory droplets and can linger in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infectious person leaves an enclosed space, which makes busy transportation hubs a particular concern for onward transmission. In recent years public health authorities in the U.S. have recorded outbreaks concentrated in communities with lower MMR coverage, prompting targeted vaccination campaigns and exposure notifications.
Snohomish County declared a measles outbreak roughly two weeks before this airport-linked case was reported; officials confirmed three additional cases after that declaration, bringing the county total to six as of the most recent update. Local clinics, pharmacies and public-health partners typically coordinate to deliver vaccines and advise potentially exposed individuals on quarantine and testing. State and federal guidance — including validation of vaccination records and the availability of free or insured vaccine coverage — frame the public response.
Main event
According to the public notice, the traveler was present in Concourse A near Gate A12 and later proceeded to the International Arrivals Hall, baggage claim 22, on Jan. 22, 2026, between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Officials say the individual exited the airport via the lower level baggage claim at the south end of the main terminal. Those specific locations and times were published to help people determine potential exposure and next steps.
Health authorities emphasize that vaccinated people are well protected against measles, while those without confirmed immunity face a risk of developing symptoms within the typical incubation period. The health notice sets the most probable symptom window as Jan. 29–Feb. 12, 2026, reflecting the 7–21 day interval after exposure when illness most commonly appears. The case was formally reported on Feb. 12, 2026; contact tracing and notifications followed standard public-health procedures.
Public-health messaging accompanying the alert urged individuals to check vaccination records or laboratory evidence of immunity and to receive an MMR dose if documentation is lacking. For Snohomish County residents, local health departments and community providers have been mobilized to advise on vaccine availability and to administer doses where needed. Officials also reminded exposed, unimmunized persons born after 1956 to quarantine for 21 days and to avoid clinic visits without prior phone notice to minimize spread.
Analysis & implications
An exposure at an international airport raises the risk of onward spread because travelers can connect to many domestic and international destinations within hours. Even a single infectious traveler can seed cases if contacts include unvaccinated people or communities with suboptimal MMR coverage. The airport’s mix of transient and returning travelers increases the potential footprint of exposure beyond local jurisdictions, complicating contact tracing and response coordination.
The timing of this report — during an active Snohomish County outbreak — suggests local transmission chains may already be present, increasing the importance of rapid identification of susceptible contacts. Public-health resources can be strained when outbreaks overlap with frequent transport hubs; vaccination clinics, testing capacity and communications must scale quickly to reduce further spread. Ensuring vaccine access and clear quarantine guidance reduces both individual risk and community transmission.
Economically and operationally, persistent case alerts at major airports can prompt short-term changes in traveler behavior, staffing in health services, and demand at urgent-care and primary-care clinics. For public confidence, agencies must provide precise exposure windows and clear instructions; ambiguity can erode trust and slow uptake of vaccination or quarantine recommendations. In the medium term, the episode highlights the need to maintain high MMR coverage to prevent disruptions from importations and localized outbreaks.
Comparison & data
| Jurisdiction/Setting | Confirmed cases | Most recent report date |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (single traveler exposure) | 1 (linked traveler) | Feb. 12, 2026 |
| Snohomish County | 6 (outbreak) | Mid-February 2026 |
This table summarizes the immediate counts tied to the airport exposure and the concurrent outbreak in Snohomish County. The Snohomish total reflects three additional cases confirmed since the outbreak declaration roughly two weeks earlier; health departments publish incremental updates as investigations proceed. These figures represent confirmed cases reported by local public-health authorities and are subject to revision as contact tracing and laboratory confirmation continue.
Reactions & quotes
Health officials released the exposure notice to inform the public and reduce further transmission risk, stressing vaccination and quarantine guidance for the unimmunized.
“People who have received the MMR vaccine are well protected; those unsure of their immunity should check records or get vaccinated.”
Snohomish County Health Department (public health advisory)
Local clinics and pharmacies responded by confirming vaccine availability and reminding residents about insurance coverage and free options for children under 19.
“We are coordinating with clinics to ensure MMR doses are accessible and to answer questions about coverage for adults and children.”
Local clinic network representative (health provider)
Public guidance also emphasized the need to call ahead before visiting healthcare facilities to limit potential exposures to others.
“If you develop fever or unexplained rash after exposure, call before you visit so providers can screen and prevent further spread.”
Public-health communications team
Unconfirmed
- It remains unconfirmed whether the infected traveler was symptomatic while at the airport or during which specific segments of the listed three-hour period they were infectious.
- The traveler’s vaccination or prior immunity status has not been publicly released and therefore is not confirmed.
- Any direct epidemiological link between the airport-linked case and the Snohomish County outbreak has not been established publicly and remains under investigation.
Bottom line
This airport-linked measles case underscores how a single infectious traveler can prompt exposure notices and renewed vaccination outreach, particularly when a local outbreak is active. For most people with documented MMR vaccination, the risk of contracting measles from this exposure is very low; the public-health focus is on identifying and protecting those without confirmed immunity.
Action steps for exposed individuals are clear: verify vaccination or laboratory-confirmed immunity, seek MMR vaccination if documentation is absent, and follow quarantine and testing guidance if you are unimmunized and born after 1956. Health departments will update case counts and guidance as investigations conclude; staying informed and following public-health instructions remain the best defenses against further spread.
Sources
- KOMO (local news) — initial exposure notice and reporting on the airport-linked case.
- Snohomish Health District (official public health) — outbreak declarations, case counts and local guidance on measles response.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (federal public health) — clinical guidance, vaccination recommendations and exposure management.