Measles Cases Linked to March for Life Rally in D.C.
Health officials are alerting the public about confirmed measles cases that may have been transmitted during this year’s National March for Life rally and concert in Washington, D.C. Thousands of people gathered for the event in late January, and the D.C. Department of Health is working to identify individuals who might be at risk.
According to a statement from the agency, “DC Health was notified of multiple confirmed cases of measles whose carriers visited several locations in the District while contagious.” They are reaching out to inform those who may have been exposed at these sites.
Exposure locations from January 21 to February 2 include significant transit hubs, such as Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Union Station, as well as an Amtrak Northeast Regional train and D.C.’s subway. Additionally, potential exposures occurred at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and Catholic University.
Children’s National Hospital also issued a public health notice regarding potential exposure in its Emergency Department. The notice indicated that a Virginia resident confirmed to have measles visited the facility while contagious on February 2.
The U.S. is currently experiencing its largest measles outbreak in decades, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting 733 confirmed cases across 20 states as of last Thursday. A significant portion of those affected—about 95%—are unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status.
In South Carolina, the outbreak, which began in October 2025, has outpaced an earlier outbreak in Texas. The state recently recorded 44 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 920. While officials noted a slowdown in new cases last week, they also mentioned potential exposures in various locations, including a Target in Taylors and the Social Security Administration in Spartanburg, where the outbreak is concentrated.
In a CNN interview, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz emphasized the importance of vaccinations. Recent actions by the Trump administration have rolled back recommendations for several diseases, but guidelines for measles vaccinations remain unchanged.
Global health officials have expressed concern regarding the spreading measles in the United States. The World Health Organization’s Pan American Health Organization has invited U.S. representatives to meet in April to assess the country’s measles elimination status, as the U.S. may risk losing its status as a country that has eradicated the disease.
In light of these developments, D.C. Health Department is advising anyone potentially exposed and not fully vaccinated, or those with compromised immune systems, to reach out to the department or their healthcare provider.
