Virginia health officials said Thursday that one case of measles has been confirmed in the state and they are warning residents of possible exposure in three locations in northern Virginia including at Dulles International Airport.
Dr. Alison Ansher, health director of the Virginia’s Prince William Health District, said that a child had contracted measles overseas due to foreign travel and the case wasn’t connected to the outbreaks within the United States. The child arrived at Dulles on Sunday. Officials say they are coordinating efforts to identify those who may have been exposed.
“If an individual feels that they were exposed because they were at one of the three sites at the specific time spans, we are calling them and or they are calling us,” Ansher says.
The sites are:
- Dulles International Airport in Terminal A and Baggage Claim level on Sunday, June 2, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Novant Health UVA Health System Haymarket Medical Center, 15225 Heathcote Boulevard, Haymarket, VA in the emergency department on Sunday, June 2 at 11 p.m. through early Monday, June 3 at 4:30 a.m.
- Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, 3600 Joseph Siewick Drive, Fairfax, VA in the emergency department, including the waiting area, on Tuesday, June 4 from 3 to 5:30 p.m.
Ansher says if a person thinks they may have measles, they should contact their local health department or health provider for advice on directions to decrease the risk of infecting others. Officials say individuals should call ahead of going to a doctor’s office or to the emergency room and let them know that you were exposed to measles.
There have been at least 971 measles cases nationwide so far this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Officials are working on vaccination efforts, including proposals to allow minors to get vaccinated without their consent.
“The vaccine is very safe, and it’s important to get vaccinated,” Ansher said.
Officials say measles is common in many parts of the world, and that people traveling internationally should get vaccinated or evaluated for immunity.
Five cases of measles had been confirmed in Maryland in April and May of this year, but officials say there are no active cases at the moment.
This story originally appeared on WAMU.
