The Alexandria Health Department has informed residents about possible measles exposures in northern Virginia, following the state’s fifth confirmed case of measles in 2026. The patient is an adult living in the region.
Virginia health officials are working to identify anyone who may have been exposed. The locations and times of potential exposure include: the Ian Apartment Complex at 2249 Woodland Grove Place in Herndon between January 23 and January 31; Kumo Sushi at 2338 Woodland Crossing Drive in Herndon on January 24 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Target at 12197 Sunset Hills Road in Reston on January 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Harris Teeter at 12960 Highland Crossing Drive in Herndon on January 25 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and Fairfax County Animal Shelter – West Ox Campus at 4500 West Ox Road in Fairfax on January 31 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Additional sites, if identified, will be listed on the VDH Measles website.
People who were present at these locations during the specified times are advised to review instructions provided by health officials. “Report Your Exposure as soon as possible. All people who were present at the places/times above should fill out this short survey for the Fairfax County Health Department. Health officials will contact you if you need to take more steps or can receive time-sensitive treatment.”
Individuals are encouraged to verify their vaccination status. According to guidance, “If you’ve had two doses of measles vaccine, were born before 1957, or have had measles, then you’re considered protected and won’t need to take extra steps.” Severely immunocompromised individuals should consult with their doctor or contact their local health department for advice.
Anyone exposed, born after 1957, and not fully vaccinated should monitor for symptoms—such as runny nose, fever over 101°F, cough, red watery eyes, or rash—for up to three weeks after exposure. Those experiencing symptoms are advised to avoid contact with others and call a healthcare provider immediately.
Questions about possible exposure can be directed by email to epi_response@vdh.virginia.gov or by phone to AHD at (703)746-4988 during business hours.
Residents wanting information about their vaccination history are advised that “The best way to know if you’ve gotten your recommended measles vaccines is to ask your doctor to check your vaccine record.” For those vaccinated in Virginia, records can also be checked online through the Virginia MMR record portal.
Information about measles symptoms and vaccines is available on the VDH measles website.
Free interpretation and translation services are available upon request by contacting LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or calling (703)746-3960.
For media inquiries only, Brookie Crawford can be reached at brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov.
Alexandria provides various services for its residents as an independent city within defined boundaries and operates under a council-manager form of government where City Council selects a manager for operations (official website). The city also emphasizes racial and social equity in its policies (official website) and manages several museums that highlight community identity and local history (official website).
