Virginia Confirms State's First Measles Case Of 2025

VIRGINIA — The state's first confirmed measles case of 2025 was reported in Northern Virginia on Saturday, according to a Department of Health news release.

State health officials said the case was confirmed in a person who traveled internationally before visiting two health care facilities in Woodbridge and Fredericksburg. Health officials are coordinating to identify anyone who might have been exposed.

“This first case of measles in Virginia this year is a reminder of how easily this highly contagious disease can spread, particularly with international travel,” said Virginia Department of Health State Epidemiologist Laurie Forlano. “Vaccination remains our best defense against measles and is safe and highly effective at protecting people and preventing outbreaks."

Listed below are the dates, times and locations of potential exposure sites in Virginia:

• Kaiser Permanente Caton Hill Medical Center - Advanced Urgent Care, located at 13285 Minnieville Rd.. in Woodbridge, on Tuesday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Kaiser Permanente Fredericksburg Medical Center - Pediatrics Department, located at 1201 Hospital Dr. in Fredericksburg, on Wednesday, April 16, from noon to 5 p.m.

Health officials said anyone who might have been exposed and is considered to be at risk of developing measles should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

Measles is a highly contagious illness that can spread easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes.

Measles symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, a runny nose, watery red eyes and a cough. These symptoms usually start 7 to 14 days after being exposed. The second stage starts 3 to 5 days after symptoms start, when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.

People with measles are contagious from 4 days before the rash appears through 4 days after.

Measles can be prevented with the MMR vaccine. Two doses are about 97 percent effective at preventing measles, while one dose is about 93 percent effective, health officials said.