14-05-2025
Panic after tourist with measles visited 16 popular Seattle hotspots including restaurants and winery
A Canadian measles patient visited 16 public spots across Seattle while contagious — including gyms, a sushi bar, the airport and a brewery.
Health officials in Washington state are scrambling to alert the public after the tourist unknowingly spread measles across the city at more than a dozen popular destinations before being diagnosed.
The unidentified traveler spent time in western Washington in King and Snohomish counties between April 30 and May 3 while infectious, according public health authorities.
The health agency confirmed the individual visited 'multiple public locations across the neighborhoods of Renton, Bellevue, Seattle, Everett and Woodinville.
They included Residence Inn Northeast/Bothell, LA Fitness in Bellevue, Bellevue Market Place at Factoria Shopping Center, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Home Depot in Redmond, Dunn Lumber in Renton, Genki Sushi in Renton, Topgolf Renton Sports Bar and Restaurant, LA Fitness in Kirkland, Pho Mignon in Kirkland, Kobo at HIGO Art Gallery and Shop in the International District, Uwajimaya Seattle Asian Market, Stoup Brewing in Capitol Hill, Spicy Style of Sichuan, Columbia Super Range Fitness Center, and Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, S Concourse (Gate S1).
Officials say the person's vaccine status is unknown, but added the case is not linked to any other measles infections in the region.
The measles virus is notoriously contagious and can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area.
'Globally and in the U.S., we are experiencing a significant measles resurgence,' said Meagan Kay, Medical Epidemiologist for Public Health – Seattle & King County.
'With over 1,000 cases reported so far this year nationally, 2025 is on track to have the highest number of measles cases in the U.S. since the early 1990s. It's an important time to check your vaccination status and get vaccinated if you aren't protected.'
Health officials warn anyone who visited the listed locations during the specified times and is not immune will 'most likely' become sick between May 7 and May 24.
Measles, a respiratory illness spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, causes fever, rash, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes.
Public Health – Seattle and King County said up to nine out of 10 unvaccinated people who are exposed will catch it.
There's no specific treatment — only symptom management and prevention.
Vaccination remains the most effective defense.
Yet rates have dropped since the COVID-19 pandemic, and most U.S. states are now below the 95 percent vaccination threshold needed to prevent outbreaks, according to the CDC.
Though reportedly unrelated, the incident comes just after health officials sounded the alarm over a potential measles exposure at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport last month.
The tourist visited LA Fitness in Bellevue on April 30 between 12pm-3:30 pm
An infected infant visited the airport's S Concourse with their family on April 17, potentially exposing others to one of the world's most contagious diseases.
Officials say the child also passed through customs and baggage claim before exiting through the south end of the main terminal.
They later visited Seattle Children's Emergency Department on April 17, 18, and 20 after developing symptoms, and were admitted on April 20.
It marks the fifth case of measles in Washington state this year, three of which have been infants.
