Did you know that a measles case indicates a singular viral infection whereas an outbreak refers to more than three in a certain locale?
There has been a recent confirmed measles outbreak with three children in Snohomish County six days ago, where the Defense Health Agency’s Naval Hospital Bremerton branch health clinic on Naval Station Everett is located.
Once considered eradicated, measles is now escalating. Compiled data also shows that there have been 171 confirmed measles cases in the U.S. as of January 13, 2026.
While there isn’t cause for alarm, Navy Medicine officials stress the need for continual awareness.
“Measles is an airborne, extremely infectious, and potentially severe viral illness. It is spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes to release viruses in the air. Measles can cause a mild febrile illness with a rash or lead to hospitalization (one in five), pneumonia (one in 20), brain infection and possibly death,” said Capt. Jackie McDowell, NHB preventive and occupational medicine physician.
McDowell and other NHB public health and preventive medicine providers have been paying close attention to the local outbreak, as well as others across the country. There were 49 outbreaks reported in 2025 across the U.S., and 2,242 confirmed measles cases.
“Our population should have effective herd immunity,” added McDowell, noting that military personnel are mandated to have measles vaccine and are therefore less at risk from the highly contagious disease. Military families also historically follow recommended Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for vaccines and help promote herd immunity in and around base facilities.
“Measles is highly contagious. If one person has it, up to nine out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected by vaccination,” explained McDowell. “Vaccination helps significantly reduce this risk. Protect yourself with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97 percent effective at preventing measles. One dose is about 93 percent effective.”
For servicemembers preparing for permanent change of station orders with family members, as well as increased travel activity during the upcoming spring and summer season, McDowell recommends ensuring vaccinations are up to date. Discuss with your medical team regarding early measles vaccination prior to any international travel and travel to high-risk areas in the United States with measles outbreaks.
“Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been. This can happen even up to two hours after that person has left,” McDowell said.
The CDC notes that those who are primarily impacted by the preventable virus are children and adolescents who had not been vaccinated with the MMR vaccine.
For eligible beneficiaries questions or concerns, who receive their medical care from Branch Health Clinic Everett, please contact your Primary Care Medical Home Team via the patient portal or by phone at 425-304-4162.
NHB’s Immunization Clinic is providing vaccinations on a walk-in basis, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., for Measles, as well as acute respiratory illnesses – influenza, RSV [respiratory syncytial virus], COVID, and TDaP - which in Washington State is a school-required vaccine for students in grades 7-12.
Additionally, the influenza vaccination is required for all active-duty military personnel, selected Reservists, and healthcare workers.
McDowell attests that complications are most common in children under 5 years and adults over 30.
“Anyone with a weakened immune system from medications or other diseases are particularly at risk. If a woman catches measles during pregnancy, this can be dangerous for the mother and can result in her baby being born prematurely with a low birth weight or stillborn,” McDowell stressed.
Symptoms of measles include a child developing a high fever with red, watery eyes, a cough and runny nose, followed in three to five days with a rash that starts in the face and spreads down the body, which “can lead to seizures, pneumonia, and even swelling of the brain,” stated McDowell.
According to McDowell, the first indication of measles will most likely be contact [from] someone who has measles or from traveling to an area with a measles outbreak.
“If traveling or potentially exposed, you should monitor for symptoms and the distinctive rash that spreads from head down the body to the hands and feet,” said McDowell.
Those symptoms usually begin seven days to two weeks after exposure to the virus and last four to seven days. The rash usually begins on the face and upper neck.
“It spreads down the body over about three days, eventually to the hands and feet. It usually lasts five to six days before fading. The spread from head down to limbs is a crucial finding as rashes are extremely common with viral illnesses and most do not spread like measles,” remarked McDowell.
For those who think they - or a family member – might have been infected by measles, McDowell stresses to immediately contact their healthcare provider for proper and timely treatment.
“It is [also] better to call the medical staff to understand which door to enter as measles is highly contagious. Proper precautions need to be taken to prevent spreading the virus to others providing care or receiving care,” said McDowell.
| Date Taken: |
01.26.2026 |
| Date Posted: |
01.26.2026 10:01 |
| Story ID: |
556752 |
| Location: |
BREMERTON, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: |
42 |
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0 |
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This work, Spot the Dot - Measles Vaccination Recommended at NHB, by Douglas Stutz, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
