The D.C. Department of Health (D.C. Health) has confirmed a case of measles in an international traveler who recently arrived in Washington, D.C., prompting an urgent warning about potential public exposures in multiple locations across the region.
Officials are now notifying individuals who may have come into contact with the virus at key locations in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
The infected traveler arrived at Dulles International Airport on June 8 and was in Concourse A, in transit to the International Arrivals Building, and in the baggage claim area from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. That same day, the traveler rode the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Silver Line Train from the Dulles Airport Station, transferring at Metro Center Station to the Red Line Train toward Shady Grove Station between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
From there, the person visited the Russian School of Mathematics at 8401 Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase, Maryland, between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., before boarding the southbound L8 Metrobus to Friendship Heights between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
“Measles is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease that spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes,” the D.C. health department said in a statement.
Virginia health officials noted they are “coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed, including contacting potentially exposed passengers on specific flights.”
As of late May, more than 1,000 measles cases have been recorded in the United States in the first four months of 2025. In the D.C. region, multiple confirmed cases have already been reported, including at least three in Virginia and three in Maryland, as of earlier this year.
Measles symptoms generally develop in two stages. During the first stage, which begins 7 to 14 days after exposure, individuals often experience a fever over 101°F, along with a runny nose, red, watery eyes, and a cough. The second stage occurs 3 to 5 days after the initial symptoms begin when a distinctive rash appears on the face and gradually spreads to the rest of the body.
A person with measles is contagious from four days before the rash appears until four days after it emerges. Serious complications can occur, including pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis), and death.
On June 12, officials confirmed additional exposure. They said the traveler took the westbound H4 Metrobus to Tenleytown from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and visited MedStar Health Pediatrics at 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Officials cautioned that anyone who was at the listed locations on the specified dates and times and who has never received a measles-containing vaccine, either the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine or a measles-only vaccine available in other countries, may be at risk of developing measles.
“If you notice the symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying home and away from others,” D.C. Health advises. “Contact your healthcare provider immediately. Call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the health department to help protect other patients and staff.”
Protecting from Measles Exposure
Health officials recommend that individuals exposed to the virus and at risk for developing measles closely monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days following the date of their last exposure. Those who have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine or were born before 1957 are considered protected and do not need to take any action.
“If you have received only one dose of a measles-containing vaccine, you are very likely to be protected and your risk of being infected with measles from any of these exposures is very low,” officials said. “However, to achieve complete immunity, contact your healthcare provider about getting a second vaccine dose.”
Health officials are especially urging caution for individuals with immuno-compromising conditions, and suggest contacting a health care provider for questions or if people believe they are developing symptoms.
D.C. Health noted that measles is preventable through a safe and effective vaccine.
“Measles is preventable through a safe and effective MMR vaccine. Two doses of the vaccine are given to provide lifetime protection,” they added.
One person took to X, formerly known as Twitter, begging those in the Washington metropolitan area to get vaccinations after reported cases earlier this year.
“Please get vaccinated for measles, my DMV people,” a social media user wrote on X in March.
However, infants younger than 12 months of age are too young to be vaccinated. These infants, and others who are not vaccinated, are very susceptible to infection if they are exposed to someone with measles.
“If you or your child have not yet received the vaccination, please call D.C. Health or a healthcare provider to get the first of two doses as soon as possible,” officials said.
Health care providers are urged to maintain an increased index of suspicion for measles in any clinically compatible cases, particularly in patients who may have been exposed.
“Health care providers should always maintain an increased index of suspicion for measles in clinically compatible cases, especially if patients were recently exposed,” officials stated. “Measles is an immediately reportable disease. Contact DC Health right away to report any suspected cases and arrange for public health testing.”
For more information or for health care providers to report suspected cases, call 844-493-2652 or submit a Notifiable Disease and Condition Case Report Form online using the D.C. Reporting and Surveillance Center, available at dchealth.dc.gov, where there is also testing and infection control guidance.
