Virginia health officials are investigating a potential measles exposure after a confirmed case traveled through Washington Dulles International Airport on Tuesday, August 12. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) reported that the individual with measles is a resident of another state. Efforts are underway to identify and notify people who may have been exposed, including passengers on specific flights.
The possible exposure occurred at Dulles International Airport in the main terminal, TSA security checkpoint, Concourse B, and on transportation from the main terminal to Concourse B between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on August 12.
Health officials advise that individuals who were present at these locations during the specified time should assess their vaccination status. Those who have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine or were born before 1957 are considered protected and do not need to take further action.
“If you have never received a measles containing vaccine (either the measles, mumps and rubella [MMR] vaccine or a measles-only vaccine which is available in other countries), you may be at risk of developing measles. Anyone who might have been exposed and is considered to be at risk of developing measles should contact their healthcare provider promptly to discuss any questions they might have,” according to VDH guidance.
Individuals are advised to monitor for symptoms for 21 days following potential exposure. “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.”
People with immunocompromising conditions should consult their healthcare providers if they develop symptoms or have concerns about exposure.
“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 the highest level of protection, contact your healthcare provider about getting a second vaccine dose,” VDH stated.
Measles spreads easily through airborne transmission when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Symptoms typically appear in two stages: an initial stage with fever above 101 degrees Fahrenheit, runny nose, watery red eyes, and cough beginning seven to fourteen days after exposure; followed by a rash appearing three to five days later that starts on the face and spreads across the body. Individuals can transmit the virus from four days before until four days after the rash appears.
The MMR vaccine offers effective prevention against measles when two doses are administered for lifetime immunity. According to VDH data https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/immunization/measles/, approximately 95% of kindergarteners in Virginia are fully vaccinated against measles; however, infants too young for vaccination and unvaccinated individuals remain susceptible if exposed.
Infants aged six months through eleven months traveling internationally or into outbreak settings should receive one dose prior to travel as recommended by health authorities.
To check immunization status or obtain records in Virginia, residents can contact their healthcare providers or use resources such as the VDH Immunization Record Request Form https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/immunization/immunization-record-request-form/. For additional questions regarding possible exposure events related to this incident, residents may email epi_response@vdh.virginia.gov or reach out directly to their local health departments.
So far in 2025 there have been three reported cases of measles within Virginia; updates can be found on the VDH Measles website https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/immunization/measles/.
