Press Release
Public Health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kittitas County Has Had 4 Cases of Measles in 2026

Kittitas County, WA - 04/13/2026 - Kittitas County has now had 4 cases of measles in 2026. Kittitas County Public Health Department continues to work on this measles response. We want our community to be informed and safe.

Currently, Kittitas County has a household in isolation with three cases.  They are at home and have been home since illness began. This means we do not believe the family has exposed any additional individuals to the measles. KCPHD is working with them as they manage symptoms.  We are also working behind the scenes to see if this is connected to other cases and, if so, how they are connected.  KCPHD works closely with the state public health lab to do even more in-depth testing to see how these cases may or may not be related.
 
We ask that people check their vaccination status. We ask that people get fully vaccinated.
With the numbers of measles in Washington State and the amount of measles in the United States, we expect that we will continue to see measles in our community.

• 33 cases of measles so far this year in Washington State Measles Cases in Washington State | Washington State Department of Health
• 1,714 cases of measles reported in the United States.

We urge people to be aware that measles will continue to be an issue.  The best protection against measles is the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.  The vaccine is 97 percent effective.

• If you are exposed to measles and have two doses of MMR, you will be considered immune to measles.
• If you are exposed to measles and have one dose of MMR, you will be asked to watch for symptoms but not asked to quarantine.
• If you are exposed to measles and do not have any doses of MMR, you will be asked to quarantine.

Measles is incredibly contagious.  It can linger in a room for two hours. Measles spreads rapidly and can be most dangerous to kids, pregnant women, and individuals who are immunocompromised.
Please contact your local providers office or local pharmacy to get vaccinated.

For more information about measles, please visit Measles | Washington State Department of Health or call the Kittitas County Public Health Department at 509-962-7515.
 

• Kittitas County Has Had 4 Cases of Measles in 2026.pdf
• SPANISH Kittitas County Has Had 4 Cases of Measles in 2026.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