A resident from the Baltimore area, who recently traveled abroad, has tested positive for measles, as confirmed by state health officials in Maryland on Sunday.
Possible exposures
The Maryland Department of Health has indicated that individuals who were at the following locations during the specified dates and times might have been exposed:
- Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport’s Customs inspection station in the international terminal arrivals area and the lower-level international baggage claim area on April 12 between 7:50 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
- FastMed Urgent Care located at 2827 Smith Ave. in Baltimore on April 14 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and again on April 17 from noon to 3:30 p.m.
- Sinai Hospital’s emergency department main waiting area and pediatric emergency department on April 17 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:10 p.m.
Health officials are currently trying to trace people who might have had contact with the individual.
Think you may have been exposed? Here’s what to do
Have you been vaccinated against measles? If you’ve had two doses of a measles vaccine or if you were born before 1957, you’re generally considered protected. It’s a good idea to check your immunization status securely online through My Immunization Record (MyIR).
The Maryland Department of Health suggests that everyone who is eligible should be fully vaccinated against measles. Typically, the first dose of the vaccine is recommended for children at 12 to 15 months, with a second dose at 4 to 6 years. Sometimes, if travel is planned to areas with ongoing measles outbreaks, an earlier dose may be given, around six to 12 months.
Monitor for early symptoms: If you were at any of these locations during the potential exposure times, especially if you aren’t fully vaccinated or immune, keep an eye out for any early symptoms of measles for up to 21 days after your possible exposure.
Not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune? If that’s the case and you could have been exposed, it’s advisable to reach out to your healthcare provider or local health department to discuss your next steps. If your exposure was on or after April 14, 2026, you might be eligible for post-exposure treatments.
What are the symptoms of measles? Early symptoms of the disease include a fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit, a runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes. Typically, a red rash emerges on the face and spreads across the body one to four days after these initial symptoms. In general, symptoms can show up 10 to 14 days post-exposure, but they can appear as soon as seven days or as late as 21 days after being exposed. A person infected with measles is contagious from four days before the rash appears to four days after it starts.
Call your healthcare provider: If you develop a fever or other symptoms and think you may have been exposed, avoid public places, including child care, school, or work. It’s best to contact your healthcare provider before heading to a waiting room or emergency department so the facility can take necessary precautions to prevent transmission.
Is measles contagious? Measles is highly contagious, easily spreading through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after the person has left. It can also be transmitted through direct contact with infected surfaces.
This is an ongoing report and will be updated as new information becomes available.
