Press Release
Public Health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Confirmed Case of Measles in Kittitas County

Kittitas County, WA - 01/15/2026 - The Kittitas County Public Health Department is working with Central Washington University (CWU) and the Washington State Department of Health regarding a CWU student who has tested positive for measles. The individual is doing OK and is receiving medical attention.

The public should be aware that measles is highly contagious!  The virus is spread when someone who is infected coughs, sneezes, or shares food or drink.  Measles can remain in the air for up to two hours.
 
If you were at the following locations during the times below and you are not vaccinated for measles, please call the Kittitas County Public Health Department call center at 509-933-8301.
 
January 8 Exposures

• 8:30am-2pm: CWU Dining Lion Rock station in the SURC
• 3-8:30pm: CWU Dining Lion Rock dining station in the SURC
• 1-4:50 pm: International Aviation Management, Samuelson Building

 
 
January 9 Exposures

• 12:08pm to 2:08 pm: CWU flight training center
• 2:30pm to 4:30pm: CWU flight training center

 
If you think you may have been exposed, or you have a fever and a rash, please call your doctor or medical facility first.  Do not expose others – stay home from work, school, childcare, or public outings like going to the store or church, until further recommendations by your medical provider.
 
Measles symptoms usually start with a mild to moderate fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and sore throat.  After two to three days, tiny white spots may appear inside the mouth on the inner lining of the check.  At the same time, the fever may get worse and a red or reddish-brown spotted rash starts.  It usually begins on a person’s face and spreads downward.
 
The individual was exposed during travel within the United States and was not symptomatic until January 8, 2026.  When the student felt ill, they traveled to Spokane, where they visited a medical facility and got tested for measles on Tuesday, January 13th.  KCPHD was then notified of the suspected measles case and has been working closely with partners since the notification on Wednesday the 14th to limit additional exposures.
 
The best protection against measles is a two-shot regimen of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine.  KCPHD recommends that community members take an opportunity to ensure that you and your family are up to date.  To confirm you and your family are protected against the virus, please visit MyIRMobile - MyIR Mobile to review your vaccination history online. If you received the MMR vaccination at a providers office or pharmacy, you can also contact that agency for your record.
 
For more information about measles, please visit Measles | Washington State Department of Health.   If you have questions about your vaccination status, please contact your local healthcare provider.  Measles is highly contagious, so please call before you visit a medical facility if you believe you have been exposed or are symptomatic.
 

• Confirmed Case of Measles in Kittitas County.pdf
• SPANISH Confirmed Case of Measles in Kittitas County.pdf

Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us

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Contact: Kasey Knutson, Public Information Officer, 509-962-7515