CHANTILLY, Va. – Virginia health officials have confirmed a case of measles in a person who traveled through airports in the Washington, D.C. area in early January after returning from international travel. The news comes as health officials warn that others may have been exposed to the disease.
The Virginia Department of Health is urging unvaccinated travelers who were at Dulles International Airport on January 3 between 4 and 8 p.m. to be on the lookout for signs of measles. They have also issued a warning for people who were at Reagan National Airport on January 4 between 2:30 and 6:30 p.m.
Officials are now working to contact individuals who may have been near the infected person in the terminals and on flights. Measles symptoms typically appear in two stages. In the first stage, which occurs between seven and 14 days after exposure, people can experience a fever of 101 degrees or higher, as well as a runny nose, watery red eyes, and a cough. In the second stage, a rash appears on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
Measles is highly contagious and can spread easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), up to 90% of individuals in close proximity to an infected person will become infected if they are not protected. As of January 4, there have been a total of 48 measles cases reported by 20 jurisdictions in the United States.
The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, which is approximately 97% effective at preventing measles. In Virginia, about 95% of kindergartners have received the vaccine. However, infants under 12 months old are too young to be vaccinated.
The Virginia Department of Health is asking unvaccinated individuals to monitor for symptoms until January 25. If symptoms of measles are noticed, they should isolate themselves and immediately call a doctor. It is important to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent the further spread of this highly contagious disease.