Press Release
Public Health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Confirmed Case of Measles in Kittitas County

Kittitas County, WA - 04/14/2026 - The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) has a new confirmed case of measles as of today. The patient is an adult with an unknown vaccination status. Our total number of confirmed cases in Kittitas County since January 2026 is now 5. This confirmed case does not show any connection to the family that is currently isolated.

Exposures have occurred in the following locations and times:

• 4/11/2026: 8:45am- 2:00pm, Kittitas Valley Healthcare (KVH) Emergency Room (ER) and KVH ER waiting room.

 
Please follow these steps below based on your vaccination status if you were at any of the above locations during the times listed:

• If you know your vaccination status and you have 2 measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccines, you do not need to quarantine.
• If you know your vaccination status and you have 1 MMR vaccine, you do not need to quarantine.  You need to monitor yourself for symptoms.  If symptoms begin, immediately quarantine and call your medical provider.
• Individuals born before 1957 are generally considered immune.  You do not need to quarantine.
• If you do not know your vaccine status or you do not have any MMR vaccines, then you need to quarantine and call your medical provider.  Please stay home and do not expose others.

 
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 cheek.  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.
 
If you have been exposed, do not have any vaccinations, or have a vaccination and are having symptoms, please notify any medical provider in advance and do not visit in person without speaking with that provider first.  Our goal is to minimize exposure and stop the spread of measles.
 
The best protection against measles is a two-shot regimen of the MMR vaccine. To confirm you and your family are protected against the virus, please visit https://myirmobile.com/ to review your vaccination history online. If you received the MMR vaccination at a provider’s office or pharmacy, you could also contact that agency for your record. 

For more information about measles, please visit https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/illness-and-disease-z/measles.   If you have questions about your vaccination status, please contact your local healthcare provider.  Measles is highly contagious, so we want to reiterate to call before you visit a medical facility if you believe you have been exposed or are symptomatic.
 

• Confirmed Case of Measles in Kittitas County 4.14.2026.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