NoVA Preschooler, Reagan Airport Traveler Both Had Measles

Correction: Two people were confirmed over the weekend to have measles while in Northern Virginia, state health officials said.

HAYMARKET, VA — A preschooler with a confirmed case of measles and traveler who visited Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport bring Virginia's total cases of the highly contagious disease this winter to six, said state officials.

The child is age 4 or younger who lives in Northern Virginia, while the other person traveled through Reagan Airport on Jan. 26.

One of the patients later visited a medical clinic in Prince William County, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

The dates, times, and locations of the potential exposure sites in Virginia are:

• Heathcote Health Center, 15195 Heathcote Blvd. in Haymarket between 1:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29.
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Terminal 2, located at 2401 Smith Blvd., Arlington between 12:30 pm and 10:30 pm Monday, Jan. 26.
• Washington Area Metro on Monday, Jan. 26:
  • Yellow Line Train from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport station transferring at the Gallery Place – Chinatown station to the Red Line Train heading toward the Glenmont station between 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.

What to Do If You Have Been Exposed to Measles

Most people in Virginia have immunity to measles through vaccination, so the risk to the general public is low. However, anyone who was at the potential exposure sites at the times listed should:

• Report your exposure to VDH by completing this short survey. Public health officials will follow up with respondents if additional actions are needed.
• Find out if you have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles previously. Make sure you are up to date with the recommended number of measles vaccinations.
  • To check your immunization status, call your healthcare provider or request records through the VDH Record Request Portal.
  • If you have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, you are considered protected and do not need to seek post-exposure treatment at this time.
• People who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles should contact their healthcare provider or call their local health department promptly to discuss any questions they might have. If you have already completed the above survey, your local health department will reach out to you to provide recommendations if additional actions are needed.
• Watch for symptoms of measles for 21 days after the potential exposure. Monitoring for symptoms is especially important for people who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles.
  • If you notice symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying home. Contact your healthcare provider right away. If you need to seek healthcare, call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the local health department. This call will help protect other patients and staff.
  • The most likely time you would become sick from these exposures is by February 19, 2026.
  • Contact your local health department or email epi_response@vdh.virginia.gov to discuss any additional recommendations.

Any additional exposure sites identified in Virginia will be posted to the VDH Measles website.

General Measles Information

Measles is a highly contagious illness that can spread easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Measles symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a cough. These symptoms usually start seven to 14 days after being exposed.

The second stage starts three to five days after symptoms start, when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. People with measles are contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appeared.

Measles is preventable through a safe and effective MMR vaccine. Two doses of the vaccine are given to provide lifetime protection, health officials said.

Virginia has high measles vaccination rates, with approximately 95% of kindergarteners fully vaccinated against measles. However, infants who are too young to be vaccinated, and others who are not vaccinated, are at high risk of developing measles if they are exposed. Infants six months through 11 months of age who will be traveling internationally, or to an outbreak setting, should receive one dose of MMR vaccine prior to travel. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about the MMR vaccine.

For more information about measles visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/.