Virginia public health officials are warning of a possible measles outbreak after an exposure event in the Washington, D.C., area earlier this month.
An international traveler with a confirmed case of measles visited Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Jan. 3 and Jan. 4, respectively.
Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that is spread through respiratory droplets via breathing, coughing, and sneezing.
Philadelphia has been combating a measles outbreak after an infected child was sent to a daycare facility despite quarantine orders. Eight children were infected, and there have been no new cases since Jan. 8.
Delaware has also suffered a measles outbreak scare in recent days.
The Virginia Department of Health is working with those who were in contact with or near the person in the airport terminal and on shared flights, asking all unvaccinated travelers to monitor for signs of measles.
Health officials say measles symptoms first appear between seven and 14 days after exposure, typically with a fever of over 101 degrees, a runny nose, watery eyes, and coughing. A rash subsequently develops and spreads from the face to the entire body.
Those who are unvaccinated are most at risk of contracting the disease, with 20% of unvaccinated people who get measles requiring hospitalization.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that getting two doses of the MMR vaccine is 97% effective against measles.
The MMR vaccine, which provides protection against measles, mumps, and rubella, has been available in its current form since 1971.
Public health experts and epidemiologists are concerned that the political tumult of the COVID-19 pandemic has lowered the takeup of other vaccinations.
According to the CDC, MMR vaccination rates in the United States have slightly dipped from their peak at 95% in the 2019-2020 school year, with rates decreasing to 93% in the 2021-2022 school year. MMR vaccination rates have not been lower than 90% since 1995.
The rate of MMR vaccine intake is measured by the number of children starting kindergarten who have been fully vaccinated.
The CDC estimates that 96% of Virginia children and 94% of those in Maryland have been fully vaccinated. Only 82% of children in Washington, D.C., have received both MMR doses.
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The largest outbreak of measles in the U.S. this century occurred in 2019, with nearly 1,300 cases. Approximately 86% of the cases were attributable to Orthodox Jewish communities that “threatened measles elimination status in the United States,” according to the CDC.
Between 2020 and 2023, there have been a total of 218 confirmed measles cases.