The Virginia Department of Health is warning against a potential outbreak of measles in Northern Virginia.
A passenger on an international flight arriving at Washington Dulles International Airport on Wednesday, March 5, later tested positive for the highly contagious illness.
After the flight, the sick passenger got on a transport to the main terminal with other passengers, and then the baggage claim area, according to VDH. The passenger then went home to Howard County, Maryland.
“Health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed, including contacting potentially exposed passengers on specific flights,” VDH said in a release.
According to VDH:
- Anyone who was exposed and considered to be at risk of developing measles should contact their healthcare provider immediately
- Watch for symptoms until March 26. If you notice the symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying home. Contact your healthcare provider right away. 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
- Anyone with an immunocompromising condition should consult with their healthcare provider if they have questions or develop symptoms
- If you have received two doses of a measles containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, 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
