Out of an abundance of caution, health officials are investigating potential exposures to a second person with measles in the National Capital Region. This effort expands the recent investigation of a measles case in late April 2014 in Loudoun and Fairfax Counties. The second case of measles was confirmed in a person who was a close contact of the first case. National Capital Region health officials are mounting a coordinated effort to identify people who may have been exposed to this second case.

Measles rash Image/CDC
Measles rash
Image/CDC

New potential exposure sites and times have been identified. The exposures occurred between May 11 and May 15. The locations are in Fairfax, Loudoun and Arlington Counties, Virginia; Montgomery County, Maryland; and Washington, D.C. People who were at the following locations and at the times indicated, may have been exposed to the measles virus.

For individuals who were exposed at any of the mentioned locations during the times specified:

  • Preventive treatment may be available for those who were at the exposure sites on May 15 only. The preventive treatment is particularly important for high risk individuals (e.g., pregnant women, infants under the age of one, and immunosuppressed people). However, this preventive treatment must be administered today, May 21, to be effective. Please call 1-877-275-8343 as soon as possible to be assessed for exposure risk.
  • If you have never received MMR vaccine, you may be at risk of measles. Monitor your health and if you notice symptoms of measles (see below), immediately isolate yourself in your home to limit your exposure to others and call your primary health care provider to discuss further care.
  • Call ahead before going to the doctor’s office or the emergency room and tell them that you were exposed to measles.

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