NewsDesk @bactiman63

In Fairfax County, Virginia, officials are working to identify people who may have been exposed to a person with measles.

Listed below are the dates, times, and locations of the potential exposure sites associated with the confirmed case of measles:

Location Date Time
Grand Centreville Plaza

13880 Braddock Rd Centreville, VA 20121

 2/1/2022 11:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Grand Centreville Plaza

13880 Braddock Rd Centreville, VA 20121

 2/3/2022 2:15 p.m. –  5:00 p.m.
Inova Fairfax Hospital -Pediatric and Adult Emergency Departments

3300 Gallows Road Falls Church, VA 22042

 2/3/2022 5:30 p.m. –  9:00 p.m.

Measles is a highly contagious illness that is spread through coughing, sneezing, and contact with droplets from the nose, mouth, or throat of an infected individual. 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. The second stage begins around the third to seventh day when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads over the entire body. Based on the date of exposure, we have determined that if you were infected with measles, you may develop symptoms as late as February 24, 2022.

Virginia reports 20 measles cases to date: Most in N. Virginia, All recently traveled from Afghanistan

Image/geralt

What should you do if you were at one of the above locations at the time specified?

  • If you have received two doses of a measles containing vaccine (either the measles, mumps, and rubella [MMR] vaccine or a measles only vaccine which is available in other countries) you are protected and do not need to take any action.
  • If you have received only one dose of a measles containing vaccine, you are very likely to be protected and your risk of being infected with measles from any of these exposures is very low. However, to achieve complete immunity, contact your health care provider about getting a second vaccine dose.
  • If you have never received a measles containing vaccine nor had a documented case of measles, you may be at risk of getting measles from this exposure. Contact your local health department or health care provider for advice on possible intervention to decrease your risk of becoming infected or other precautions you need to take. If you notice the symptoms of measles, stay home and away from others, and immediately call your primary health care provider or health department to discuss further care. Call ahead before going to the office or the emergency room and tell them that you were exposed to measles.

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Measles is easily preventable through a safe and effective MMR vaccine. The best protection against future measles cases is the vaccination of all susceptible persons. Two doses are recommended for most individuals with the first dose given at age 12-15 months and the second prior to kindergarten entry (age 4-6 years).

Measles is common in many parts of the world, including popular tourist destinations. Persons who will be traveling internationally should be evaluated for measles immunity and vaccinated as needed. Infants too young to be vaccinated should consider avoiding travel to areas with measles until they can be vaccinated.