Measles Case Confirmed In Montgomery Co. As Officials Warn Of Exposure

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — A Montgomery County resident who recently traveled internationally though Washington Dulles International Airport has tested positive for measles, according to health officials.

The Maryland Department of Health and Montgomery County health officials are urging residents to check exposure times, monitor symptoms, and make sure vaccinations are up-to-date.

According to health officials, anyone who visited the following locations during these times may have been exposed:

Washington Dulles International Airport International Terminal

• Saturday, Jan. 27, 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Claridge House at 2445 Lyttonsville Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20910

• Saturday, Jan. 27, 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Saturday, Jan. 27, 6 p.m. to Sunday, Jan. 28, 1 a.m.
• Monday, Jan. 29, 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Suburban Hospital Emergency Department

• Saturday, Jan. 27, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Early symptoms of measles are a fever of more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit, runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes. Usually, one to four days after the early symptoms, a red rash appears on the face and spreads to the rest of the body, according to health officials.

People are generally considered immune to measles if they have had two measles vaccine shots, previously had measles or laboratory evidence of immunity or infection, or were born in the United States before 1957.

Those who are most at risk of complications from measles infection are pregnant women, infants less than one-year-old, and those who are immune compromised.

Measles symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a cough. These symptoms usually start seven to 14 days after being exposed.

Measles is a contagious vaccine-preventable viral infection that is easily spread to unvaccinated persons through coughing, sneezing and secretions from the mouth.

People in these groups who may have potentially been exposed and are not immune should contact their healthcare provider or call Montgomery County Health and Human Services’ Disease Control Office at 240-777-1755 for additional guidance.

People, especially those who are not vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles, who were at any of these locations during the possible exposure times should monitor themselves for any early symptoms of measles for 21 days after the potential exposure, health officials said.

Officials said there has been a recent global rise in measles cases and measles importation to the United States. There was one case of measles identified in Maryland in 2023, and five reported in 2019.

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