Virginia Health Officials Worried Over Possible Measles Outbreak

Virginia public health officials are warning people who were at a pediatrician’s office or hospital in Northern Virginia during specific times recently that they may have been exposed to a child with measles.

According to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), health districts in northern Virginia are informing people who were at various locations that they may have been exposed to someone diagnosed with measles. The child contracted measles during international travel, and is currently in stable condition and improving. Northern Virginia area health officials are coordinating efforts to reach people who may have been exposed.

Listed below are the dates, times, and locations of the potential exposure sites associated with measles. Outside of these specific locations and times, it is currently believed that the risk to the community is low.

Officials warned that anyone who has not received a measles containing vaccine nor had a documented case of measles, you may be at risk of getting measles from this exposure, and to contact your local health department or health care provider for advice.

Measles is a highly contagious illness spreads through coughing, sneezing, and droplets from an infected person’s nose, mouth, or throat. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough and a rash that appears around the third to seventh day.

They also mention that if you notice the symptoms of measles, stay home and away from others, and immediately call your primary health care provider or health department to discuss further care. Call ahead before going to the medical office or the emergency room and tell them that you were exposed to measles.