MD Resident With Measles Traveled Through Dulles International Airport, Clinic

MARYLAND – A Maryland resident with a confirmed case of measles traveled through Dulles International Airport last week, health officials announced Saturday.

The person is known to have passed through Dulles’ Concourse C, on transportation to the International Arrivals Building (IAB) and in the baggage claim area between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 17.

The Maryland Department of Health said the individual, who had traveled outside the U.S., had also visited the Mary’s Center Adams Morgan Clinic at 2333 Ontario Road NW in D.C. The visit was made between 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on June 17.

What Are Officials Doing?

Health officials across D.C., Maryland and Virginia said they are working to identify any people who might have been exposed while the unidentified person was in transit.

Anyone who was at the potential exposure sites is urged to confirm their vaccination status, contact a health care provider or local health department if they haven’t been vaccinated, and watch for measles symptoms for 21 days following exposure.

The last day to watch for symptoms in this exposure case is July 8, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

Exposed residents who develop a fever or other measles-related symptoms must not go to any public settings, instead opting to call ahead to any health provider so precautions can be taken at the health facility.

Symptoms To Watch Out For

Common early measles symptoms are a fever of greater than 101 degrees, a runny nose, watery red eyes and a cough. The disease progresses to a rash three to five days after symptoms start.

Measles is a highly contagious illness that can spread through the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs, according to the MDH.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states measles can be contracted just by being in a room where an infectious person has been, even up to 2 hours after the infected person has left. A person with measles can infect up to nine out of 10 people they come into close contact with if those people are not protected.

In rare instances, the disease can cause serious health complications and death.

To date, including the latest case, Maryland has recorded four confirmed cases of measles.