Alexandria residents who traveled through Washington Dulles International Airport on Aug. 12 may have been exposed to measles, according to health officials.
The Virginia Department of Health was notified of a confirmed measles case involving an out-of-state resident who traveled through the airport that day. The potential exposure occurred in the main terminal, at the TSA security checkpoint, in Concourse B and on transportation between the main terminal and Concourse B from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Health officials are coordinating efforts to identify people who might have been exposed, including contacting potentially exposed passengers on specific flights.
The Alexandria Health Department is advising residents to review their vaccination status and monitor for symptoms if they were at the airport during the specified time.
People who have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine or were born before 1957 are protected and do not need to take action. Those who are not fully vaccinated should watch for symptoms for 21 days after potential exposure.
Measles symptoms include fever above 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes and cough, followed by a rash that begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Anyone experiencing symptoms should immediately isolate at home and contact their healthcare provider.
“If you need to seek care, call ahead before going to your 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,” health officials said.
Measles is highly contagious and spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. People with measles are contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after.
This marks Virginia’s third reported measles case in 2025. The state maintains high vaccination rates, with approximately 95 percent of kindergarteners fully vaccinated against measles.
Alexandria residents with questions about potential exposure can email [email protected] or contact the Alexandria Health Department at 703-746-4988 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
To check vaccination status, residents can contact their healthcare provider or use the VDH vaccine record portal. More information about measles is available on the VDH measles website.
