VIRGINIA, USA — Both the Virginia and DC Health Departments have issued a warning to travelers who were in two DMV airports in early January of a possible measles exposure.
A person with a confirmed case of measles traveled through Northern Virginia after returning from an international trip on January 3 and 4. They were at both Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA). Health officials are currently working to identify passengers on specific flights who may have been exposed to notify them, as well as those who could have had contact in airport terminals.
Here are the locations and times of the potential measles exposure at the airpiorts:
- IAD: The international arrivals area of the main terminal between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024
- DCA: Terminal A between 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024
What should you do if you were at one of the above locations on these dates and times?
- If you have never received a measles vaccine (either the measles, mumps and rubella [MMR] vaccine or a measles only vaccine) you may be at risk of developing measles. Anyone who was exposed and is at risk of developing measles should watch for symptoms until Jan. 25, If you notice the symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself and contact your doctor. Call ahead before going to your doctor's office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the health department. This will help protect other patients and staff.
- If you have received two doses of a measles containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, you are protected and do not need to take any action.
- If you have an immunocompromising condition, talk to your doctor if you have questions or develop symptoms.
- If you have received only one dose of a measles containing vaccine, you are very likely to be protected and your risk of being infected with measles from any of these exposures is very low. However, to achieve complete immunity, contact your healthcare provider about getting a second vaccine dose.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Measles symptoms usually happen in two stages. Stage one includes:
- Fever greater than 101 degrees
- Runny nose
- Watery red eyes
- Coughing
These symptoms typically show up beteen seven to 14 days after exposure.
Stage two includes a rash appearing on the face and spreading to the rest of the body. This will typically happen three to five days after the stage one symptoms.
People with measles are contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appeared.
Anyone with additional questions can call VDH at 804-864-8140 or email epi_response@vdh.virginia.gov.
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