First Measles Case of 2025 Emerges in King County

In 2025, a case of measles was noted in King County, marking the first instance of the disease in the state of Washington for that year. Measles is highly transmissible, especially among unvaccinated individuals. With Robert F. Kennedy Jr. heading the Health and Human Services Department, there is growing concern over the possible increase in the number of parents decline vaccinations for their children.

Kennedy has been consistent in voicing theories regarding vaccines that are generally regarded as invalid. He has contributed to circulating distrust regarding vaccines. Recently, he described the Texas and New Mexico measles epidemics as ‘unexceptional,’ generating further apprehension.

Measles is one of the diseases with the highest transmission rates that can be mitigated with vaccination. Discussing its high infectiousness and the risk it poses, one may wonder why anyone would prefer taking chances when a safe and effective preventative measure exists.

In King County, the most recent measles incidence was reported in an infant on the 26th of February. The child is believed to have contracted the virus during a trip abroad. Following the trip, the infant visited several locations in the Seattle and Bellevue areas, raising health officials’ concerns regarding possible virus exposure.

For those who have received their vaccinations, there is little cause for concern, thanks to a 97% efficacy rate, as stated by Public Health – Seattle & King County. The county health agency has also stressed that around 95% of a population must be vaccinated against measles to achieve herd immunity.

At this time, approximately 87% of 2-year-olds within the county have received their MMR vaccine. A lower percentage of 4-6-year-olds, around 72%, have been administered two doses of the vaccine. The potentially compromised state of public health, given the current measles outbreaks, has led to demands for greater accountability for vaccine-preventable disease eruptions.

In addition to measles, a multitude of other diseases can be averted through vaccination, such as pertussis (commonly known as whooping cough), polio, and meningitis. Plans to convene on flu vaccines were recently canceled, an action regarded by many as hazardous. Although the flu vaccine isn’t fail-proof, it does generally result in less severe instances of the flu when the disease is contracted.

A significant point of discussion is the notion that recent generations have existed without the constant menace of serious illnesses. They are unfamiliar with the impact of dangerous diseases such as measles or polio, and haven’t witnessed firsthand the tragic deaths of infants resulting from preventable diseases.

Measles was officially eradicated from the United States in 2000. However, the spread of misinformation has led to outbreaks like the current one. All of these outbreaks could have been mitigated and are therefore unnecessary. There shouldn’t be a necessity to witness children falling ill, and sadly even dying, for us to recognize that vaccines are among the greatest healthcare innovations of the previous century.

Vaccines still hold their relevance in the present day. They are a safe and effective medium to protect against deadly diseases. In 2024, three measles cases were reported in King County, per the county health department’s records.