Alexandria Health Department (AHD) has informed residents about possible measles exposures in northern Virginia. The announcement follows a confirmed case involving an out-of-state resident who traveled through Washington Dulles International Airport on January 24, according to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).
Health officials are working to identify individuals who may have been exposed, including reaching out to passengers from specific flights. The locations and times of potential exposure include Concourse B at Dulles International Airport, transportation to the International Arrivals Building, and the baggage claim area between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. on January 24. Additionally, those who used the Dulles shuttle bus to rental car facilities between 7 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. that day may also have been exposed.
Any further exposure sites identified in Virginia will be updated on the VDH Measles website. So far in 2026, there have been four reported cases of measles in Virginia.
Residents are advised to take specific actions based on their vaccination status or health condition:
– Those who have received the recommended measles vaccine (such as MMR) or were born before 1957 do not need to take special action.
– Individuals born after 1957 who are not fully vaccinated should monitor for symptoms for 21 days following possible exposure. Symptoms include runny nose, fever over 101°F, cough, red watery eyes, and rash. If symptoms develop, people should avoid contact with others and contact their doctor immediately.
– People with weakened immune systems are encouraged to consult their doctor for guidance.
For questions regarding potential exposure, residents can email epi_response@vdh.virginia.gov or call the Alexandria Health Department call center at 703.746.4988 during business hours.
To check measles vaccination status, AHD recommends asking your healthcare provider or pediatrician for records. Vaccination records for those immunized in Virginia can also be accessed online using the Virginia MMR record portal; other states offer similar services.
Those needing vaccination can receive an MMR shot from their doctor or at pharmacies across Virginia.
Further information about measles symptoms and vaccines is available on the VDH Measles website.
Free interpretation and translation services are offered by contacting LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or calling 703.746.3960.
Media inquiries should be directed to Brookie Crawford at brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov.
