Through the Static

By Hannah Saunders

The highly contagious and once eliminated measles disease is on the rise in Washington, with the state’s Department of Health (DOH) reporting a total of 33 cases as of April 9, with 28 in people who are not vaccinated. Public health distrust and the Trump regime’s efforts to discredit medical science have led to fewer people getting the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. 

Measles is airborne and spread through coughing and sneezing, and up to 9 out of 10 people in that vicinity will get infected if lacking protection from the MMR vaccine or masking. Since 2025, there have been 3,564 confirmed cases in primarily teenagers and children, according to a Harvard School of Public Health March 9 report. South Carolina had the highest rates, with almost 1,000 people impacted, and several children died in Texas. 

“Nationally, measles vaccination rates among school-age kids fell from 95% in 2019 to 92% in 2023. Within Texas, the kindergarten vaccination rates have dipped below 95% in about half of all state counties. In the community at the center of the west Texas outbreak, the reported rate is 82%,” according to the Harvard report. 

Some recent cases in Washington include an infected Canadian resident traveling through SeaTac airport in early March; at that time, there had been a total of 28 cases. Near the end of March, two more people who traveled internationally, where health officials believe they were likely exposed to measles, stopped by numerous locations in King County, including Costco in Shoreline, Ristorante Paradiso in Kirkland, and the Northcut Landing Building in Seattle, among others. Those who visited these establishments should continue to monitor their health for any symptoms, like coughing, fever, rash, runny nose, and red and watery eyes, for the next several days. 

A total of 21 cases have been linked to measles outbreaks in Washington, and 10 aren’t. As of April 9, there have been 14 confirmed cases in Snohomish County, two in Clark, and two in King. There have been 16 cases in the 5-17 age range, 11 in 18+, and 6 under 5 years, according to the DOH.  

Measles can cause ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), or death. Those at greatest risk of illness include infants and children under 5, adults over 20, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems. Washington public health officials encourage getting the MMR vaccine, which is 97% effective at preventing measles, masking up, self-isolating if ill, and frequent handwashing and testing. 

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