Measles case confirmed in southeast Washington. Patient was not vaccinated
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Southeastern Washington County confirms its first measles case in 2026.
- Washington reports 32 measles cases in 2026, most in Western Washington.
- Officials provide information on checking your measles vaccination records.
A case of measles has been confirmed in Walla Walla County, the first there this year and the 32nd case in 2026 in Washington state.
The majority of the cases are in Western Washington, but Walla Walla County makes the fifth central or eastern Washington state county to confirm a case this year. Those counties include Stevens, Grant, Spokane and Kittitas.
The Walla Walla County case was in an unvaccinated person who was exposed to the virus during international travel. All measles cases in the state this year have been in people who are unvaccinated, with the exception of five people whose vaccination status could not be determined.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two doses of the MMR — measles, mumps and rubella — vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles.
The Walla Walla County Department of Community Health is working to identify and contact people who may have been exposed to measles by the patient there. No public places where exposures could have occurred are known.
Measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that causes fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes.
The virus can become airborne when an infected person coughs or sneezes and then live in the air for up to two hours. The virus may also be spread by direct contact with the nose or throat droplets of an infected person.
If one person is infectious, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected.
Complications from measles can happen even in healthy people who contract the disease, but those at the highest risk include anyone who isn’t fully vaccinated against measles, including kids too young for the vaccine, and those who have weakened immune systems.
Dr. Steven Krager, health officer for Benton and Franklin Counties, told the Benton Franklin Health District Board earlier this year that the district has worked to prepare for any possible outbreak of measles.
“If it does happen it is going to be a big lift for the agency,” he said.
Measles were declared eliminated in the United States in 2000.
People who were vaccinated in Washington state can check their vaccination record at myirmobile.com.