Public health officials in Maryland have confirmed two additional measles cases involving residents of Prince George’s County. This announcement was made on Thursday, following the identification of an initial case in the state weeks earlier. All three confirmed measles cases are linked to international travel and are not associated with current outbreaks reported in New Mexico, Oklahoma, or Texas.
Authorities clarified that the recent measles cases in Prince George’s County are also not related to a previous case involving a resident from Howard County. In total, more than 300 cases of measles have been documented in connection with outbreaks in West Texas and New Mexico, which have tragically resulted in the deaths of two individuals due to measles-related complications.
In light of these new cases, public health officials are taking precautionary measures to identify individuals who may have been exposed to the virus. They are reaching out to potentially exposed passengers who were on specific flights and have provided a list of locations where exposure may have occurred:
Washington Dulles International Airport (Concourse A, International Arrivals Building, baggage claim) on March 5 between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Kaiser Permanente Largo Medical Center at 1221 Mercantile Lane, Upper Marlboro: March 5, 7:30 p.m. to March 6, 4:30 a.m. March 13, 4:15 a.m. to 10 a.m. March 15, 7:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. March 17, 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on the terminal shuttle bus on March 14 between 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. On the Metro Yellow Line train from Reagan National Airport station, transferring at L’Enfant Plaza to the Silver Line heading toward Downtown Largo on March 14 between 12:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. Passport Toyota at 5001 Auth Way, Suitland, on March 17 between 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.Individuals who were at these locations, especially those who are not fully vaccinated or who lack immunity to measles, should closely monitor for symptoms for 21 days following the potential exposure. Early symptoms of measles include:
Fever above 101 degrees Runny nose Cough Red, watery eyesTypically, one to four days after the onset of these early symptoms, a red rash appears on the face and then spreads across the body. It is crucial for anyone who develops a fever or other symptoms of measles to avoid public spaces and to contact their healthcare provider before visiting a hospital or emergency department to prevent further spread of the virus.
Individuals who were potentially exposed on March 15 or March 17 may be eligible for post-exposure treatments. They are advised to reach out to their healthcare provider or the Prince George’s County Health Department’s Infectious Disease Surveillance and Response Program by calling 301-583-3750 during normal business hours or 240-508-5774 after hours and on weekends.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that a person is considered contagious from four days before the rash appears until four days after. It is essential to note that individuals are generally deemed immune to measles if they are up-to-date on their vaccinations, have had a laboratory-confirmed case in their lifetime, or were born before 1957.
The CDC emphasizes that vaccination remains the best defense against measles. For Virginia residents with inquiries regarding potential exposure, they can contact the Virginia Department of Health at 804-363-2704 or via email at epi_response@vdh.virginia.gov. D.C. residents can reach out to DC Health at 844-493-2652 or email DOH.Epi@dc.gov.
