Measles cases confirmed north of Benton County. Children were unvaccinated
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- Two Grant County children diagnosed with measles, one hospitalized
- Washington has 28 cases in 2026, most of them in unvaccinated people
- Officials urge MMR vaccination, saying it is effective
Two cases of measles were announced in Grant County Wednesday, bringing the total for the state to 28, with most of the cases in Western Washington.
Two children in the same Grant County household are confirmed to have measles, according to the Grant County Health District. Neither had been vaccinated.
One child was hospitalized, but both now are recovering at home, it said.
Health district officials believe the two children likely were exposed when they traveled outside the United States, rather than being exposed locally.
The 28 cases of measles confirmed in Washington state this year compare to 12 cases in the state all of last year.
A majority of the cases this year are linked to an outbreak within the state, which is declared when three or more measles cases are related. No cases were linked to an outbreak last year.
The cases in 2026 include 14 in Snohomish County, eight in Clark, three in Stevens and one in Kittitas, plus the two latest cases.
All measles cases have occurred in people who are unvaccinated, except for two patients whose vaccine status is unknown.
Dr. Steven Krager, health officer for Benton and Franklin Counties, told the Benton Franklin Health District Board earlier this year that the district had done work to make sure it is prepared for any possible outbreak of measles.
“If it does happen it is going to be a big lift for the agency,” he said.
The United States has had 1,362 confirmed cases of measles reported this year, reflecting a resurgence of a disease that was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000.
Measles can cause life-threatening health complications, including pneumonia and brain inflammation, especially for babies and young children, according to the Washington state Department of Health.
It is highly contagious. The virus that causes the disease can be spread through coughing and sneezing and can linger in the air for up to two hours, including after an infected person has left the room.
People can be contagious up to four days before a measles rash appears and then as long as four more days.
Vaccination against measles urged
"MMR vaccine saves lives and is our best defense against measles," said Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, Washington state health officer, earlier this month. ".... You just never know when or where your family might be exposed to measles, so make sure everyone is up to date on MMR vaccine, one of the best-tested vaccines around."
One dose is 93% effective, and two doses are 97% effective, according to the Washington state Department of Health.
Symptoms of measles usually appear one to three weeks after exposure and include:
- High fever, cough and runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- A rash that begins on the face and spreads down the body
If you have symptoms of measles, such as an unexplained rash, you should call your doctor immediately and inform the clinic before you arrive so it can take steps to help prevent the spread of the virus.
The Grant County Health District is warning people that they could have been exposed to measles in Moses Lake on March 7 from 9:20 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Confluence Direct Care; on March 10 from 2:20 to 5:50 p.m. at Samaritan Care Today; on March 11 from 2:15 to 8:30 p.m. at Samaritan Emergency Department and on March 12 from 9:05 p.m. until shortly after midnight at Samaritan Emergency Department.
This story was originally published March 18, 2026 at 6:00 PM.