The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has reported 40 measles cases in 2026 — more than triple the number of cases reported in all of 2025.
Three recent cases, two reported in Kittitas County and one in Spokane, have no known source of exposure, health officials stated in a news release Thursday. That means even after a thorough investigation, DOH was unable to determine how those individuals caught the virus, meaning measles is spreading undetected in Washington communities.
“We are entering a new, more dangerous stage of measles spread in Washington, and the only way to protect our communities is for Washingtonians to work together,” Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, DOH State Health Officer, stated.
Kittitas County experiencing measles outbreak
Last week, the Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) confirmed two measles cases and identified a potential exposure at Valley View Elementary School between April 8 and 15. Health officials said KCPHD is working with the school to limit further spread…