The Alexandria Health Department (AHD) said anyone traveling through two of the nearby airports earlier this month may have been exposed to measles.
The AHD shared a warning sent by the Virginia Health Department.
According to the release:
Out of an abundance of caution, VDH is informing people who were at various locations, including Dulles International Airport on January 3, 2024, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on January 4, 2024, that they may have been exposed. Health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed, including contacting potentially exposed passengers on specific flights.
The release said the exposure times were 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 3, at the international arrivals area of the main terminal at Dulles and 2:30-6:30 p.m. at Terminal A of National Airport.
According to AHD:
- Exposed people who have had two doses of a measles-containing vaccine like the MMR vaccine or were born before 1957 do not need to take action.
- Exposed people who are are not fully vaccinated against measles and born after 1957 should watch out for symptoms until January 25, 2024. Symptoms include a runny nose, fever above 101 degrees, cough, watery red eyes, and rash. If symptoms appear, the individual should isolate and seek care immediately.
- Those who may be immunocompromised should talk to a health care provider about specific recommendations.