One case of measles was confirmed in Montgomery County Thursday to a resident who recently traveled abroad.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that can be prevented with a vaccine.
Anyone who visited Dulles International Airport on Jan. 27 between 6 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.; Claridge House, 2445 Lyttonsville Road in Silver Spring on Jan. 27 between 7:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. or 6 p.m. through Jan. 28 at 1 a.m. or Jan. 29 between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. or Suburban Hospital Emergency Department on Jan. 27 between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. may have been exposed.
Those who think they were exposed should monitor themselves for symptoms. Early symptoms include a fever of more than 101 degrees, a runny nose, cough and red, watery eyes, according to the Maryland Department of Health and Montgomery County health officials.
Generally, a red rash appears on the face and spreads to the rest of the body after one to four days of being exposed.
Health officials advise those who were exposed to monitor themselves for 21 days. If any symptoms appear, do not go to childcare, school, work or out in public and contact a health care provider. Do not go to a medical office without checking first as the disease spreads easily.
People are considered immune to measles if they had two measles vaccine shots or previously had measles or laboratory evidence of immunity or infection.
Measles is spread to unvaccinated persons through coughing, sneezing and secretions from the mouth.
Previously, one case of measles was reported in Maryland in 2023 and five in 2019.
