Central Nova News

Alexandria Health Department (AHD) is advising residents about potential exposures to measles in northern Virginia.  
Full details are available in a news release from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) titled, “Virginia Health Officials Investigating Potential Measles Exposures In Northern Virginia.”  People may have been exposed to a person infected with measles if they were at the following locations at the specified dates and times:

•    Dulles International Airport (IAD): the international arrivals area of the main terminal between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 3, 2024

•    Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA): Terminal A between 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 4, 2024

All people who may have been exposed should review the news release for recommended actions. Actions are summarized below:

•    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.  

If you have questions about a potential exposure, call VDH at (804) 864-8140 or email epi_response@vdh.virginia.gov.

More information about measles, symptoms, and vaccination is available on the VDH measles website.  

If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you, please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3960.

Original source can be found here.