Health officials have confirmed a case of measles in a Maryland resident, announcing potential exposure sites that include Dulles International Airport and an urgent care clinic in Washington D.C. Local health agencies in the District, Maryland, and Virginia issued alerts on Saturday, advising individuals who may have been exposed to contact their healthcare providers and to isolate if they develop symptoms.
Exposure Details
According to officials, the infected individual was present at Dulles International Airport on June 17. During their time at the airport, they traveled through Concourse C, the International Arrivals Building, and baggage claim areas between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. Later the same day, between 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., the person visited Mary’s Center urgent care clinic, located on Ontario Road in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Northwest D.C.
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that can spread rapidly through airborne droplets from coughing, breathing, or sneezing. Initial symptoms typically include a fever exceeding 101 degrees Fahrenheit, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and often a characteristic rash. Symptoms can appear anywhere from seven to 21 days after initial exposure.
Public Health Guidance
Health authorities emphasized that individuals who have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine or were born before 1957 are generally considered protected against the disease. Those who are not fully vaccinated and believe they may have been exposed are strongly encouraged to consult with their healthcare providers for guidance.
Nationwide, measles cases are on the rise, with over 2,000 confirmed cases reported this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This marks the fourth measles case reported by Maryland officials in 2024, following three cases identified in April. Virginia health officials previously reported a measles case in April that involved travel through Dulles Airport on April 23 and April 24.
Steve Lopez is the Editorial Page Editor for News Raise. He covers Health. He has won more than a dozen national journalism awards for his reporting and column writing at seven newspapers and four news magazines.
