Measles case found in Maryland resident who traveled recently

Officials say anyone who visited the following locations may have been exposed:

• The international terminal at Dulles International Airport on Jan. 27, from 6 to 9:30 a.m.
• Claridge House, a Silver Spring apartment complex at 2445 Lyttonsville Rd., on Jan. 27, from 7:30 to 10 a.m.; Jan. 27 from 6 p.m. to Jan. 28 at 1 a.m.; Jan. 29, from 7 to 10 a.m.
• Suburban Hospital Emergency Department on Jan. 27 from 7 to 11 p.m.

People in high-risk groups who may have been exposed should contact their health-care provider or call Montgomery County Health and Human Services disease control at 240-777-1755 for guidance. Pregnant individuals, infants and the immunocompromised are most at risk of complications from measles, officials said.

Early symptoms of measles include a fever of more than 101 degrees, runny nose, cough and red, watery eyes. A red rash usually appears on the face one to four days after the onset of symptoms, according to the health department.

Experts say that exposed people without immunity should monitor themselves for any early symptoms for 21 days after the possible exposure. If symptoms develop, they should not go to child care, school, work or out in public, and should contact their health-care provider before showing up in person for treatment.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported 23 confirmed cases of measles in the United States, mostly among children and adolescents who did not receive vaccinations despite being old enough to receive them. Some of the cases were directly linked to international travel, the agency said.

There was one case of measles identified in Maryland in 2023, and five reported in 2019, according to a statement from the Maryland Health Department. Virginia public health officials last month reported a measles case in a person who traveled through Northern Virginia after international travel.

People are generally considered immune to measles if they have had two measles vaccine shots, previously had measles or were born in the United States before 1957.