Health officials are reporting that a person from Northern Virginia with measles may have exposed others in Fairfax County last week.
This is one of eight confirmed measles cases in Virginia this year, with the latest involving an adult who likely transmitted the virus after recent international travel, as stated by Virginia health authorities.
The Virginia Department of Health is advising anyone who came into contact with this individual to be cautious, particularly those who are too young for vaccination or have not been vaccinated.
Here are the locations and times where potential exposure occurred:
- Giant Food at 8941 Ox Road in Lorton on Wednesday, February 11, between 3:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.
- Inova-GoHealth Urgent Care at Lorton Marketplace, 9427 Lorton Market St., on Friday, February 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Inova HealthPlex Lorton Emergency Room at 9321 Sanger St. on Saturday, February 14, between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
So far this year, multiple other cases have been reported in Virginia, with some patients also having spent time in D.C., potentially exposing more individuals.
Although this recent case involves an adult, previous cases have mostly affected children under the age of four, according to officials.
The majority of the reported cases are from Northern Virginia, with only one being linked to Central Virginia.
If You Think You Might Have Been Exposed
People who might have been in contact with the infected individual should complete a survey provided by the health department. Officials will get in touch if further action is necessary.
Health authorities indicate that individuals are protected against measles if they have received two doses of the vaccine or were born before 1957.
If you’re unsure about your vaccination history, you can verify this with your health care provider or through an online portal specific to Virginia residents.
If you suspect you’ve been exposed and haven’t been fully vaccinated, it’s advisable to reach out to your local health department. There may be post-exposure options available within a certain time frame.
Symptoms may arise as long as 21 days after exposure, with a likely onset between February 18 and early March.
If you develop symptoms after exposure, stay home and contact a health care provider, according to the Virginia health department.
Early manifestations of measles include a rash, runny nose, watery eyes, cough, and a fever over 101 degrees. Typically, these symptoms start to appear about a week or two post-exposure.
While the rash is a common indicator of measles, it usually doesn’t develop until three to five days after the initial symptoms appear.
