The Virginia Department of Health is working to track down people who traveled through Washington Dulles International Airport last week due to a confirmed case of measles.
The confirmed case is a resident of another state who was at the airport on Tuesday, Aug. 12.
Health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed, including contacting potentially exposed passengers on specific flights.
People who were at the airport in the main terminal, at the TSA security checkpoint, in Concourse B or on transportation to the terminal between 1-5 p.m. may have been exposed.
Virginia residents with additional questions about their potential exposure can email [email protected] or contact their local health department.
To date in 2025, Virginia has three reported cases of measles.
For the latest information on measles cases and exposures in Virginia, visit the VDH measles website.
Symptoms of measles
If you were at the airport during the date and time specified, you may want to watch for symptoms:
- If you have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, you are protected and do not need to take any action.
- If you have never received a measles containing vaccine (either the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine or a measles-only vaccine which is available in other countries), you may be at risk of developing measles.
- Anyone who might have been exposed and is considered to be at risk of developing measles should contact their healthcare provider promptly to discuss any questions they might have.
- Watch for symptoms for 21 days after the date of your potential exposure.
- If you notice symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying home. Contact your healthcare provider right away.
- If you need to seek healthcare, call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the local health department. This call will help protect other patients and staff.
- Anyone with an immunocompromising condition should consult with their healthcare provider if they have questions or develop symptoms.
- If you have received only one dose of a measles-containing vaccine, you are very likely to be protected and your risk of being infected with measles from any of these exposures is very low. However, to achieve the highest level of protection, contact your healthcare provider about getting a second vaccine dose.
About measles
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.
- 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.
- Second stage: Starts three to five 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 four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appeared.
Measles prevention
Measles is preventable through a safe and effective MMR vaccine. Two doses of the vaccine are given to provide lifetime protection.
Virginia has high measles vaccination rates, with approximately 95 percent of kindergarteners fully vaccinated against measles. However, infants who are too young to be vaccinated, and others who are not vaccinated, are very susceptible to infection if they are exposed to measles.
Infants six months through 11 months of age who will be traveling internationally, or to an outbreak setting, should receive one dose of MMR vaccine prior to travel. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about the MMR vaccine.
To check your immunization status, call your healthcare provider or request your vaccination records using the VDH immunization record request form.
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Crystal Graham
