Health officials across the D.C. region are on high alert after a Maryland resident confirmed to have measles traveled through Dulles International Airport and visited a Washington, D.C., clinic while infectious. The Maryland Department of Health and DC Health are coordinating a response, tracing potential contacts from June 17.
A Path of Potential Exposure
The infected individual arrived at Dulles International Airport on June 17 following international travel. Between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m., the traveler moved through Concourse C, the International Arrivals Building, and the airport’s baggage claim areas. By that afternoon, the individual had traveled into the District, visiting the Mary’s Center urgent care clinic at 2333 Ontario Road NW in Adams Morgan. That visit lasted from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Coordinating Regional Surveillance
The incident coincides with a separate measles exposure reported by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) involving an out-of-state resident. That exposure is linked to an ongoing outbreak in Buckingham County, Virginia. VDH is currently working to identify passengers on specific flights who may have been at risk. To manage the influx of data, the department is updating its measles dashboard—a tool launched in May as regional cases began to climb.
Clinical Guidance and Protection
Public health experts are urging residents to verify their immunization status. Generally, those who have received two doses of the MMR vaccine or were born before 1957 are considered protected. Dr. Meg Sullivan, Maryland’s Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services, stressed the urgency of these precautions: “Vaccination remains essential to protecting ourselves, our families, and our communities against measles and other infectious diseases,” she said. “Talk with your healthcare provider to ensure you and your family are up to date with all recommended vaccines, including the MMR vaccine.”
Monitoring for Symptoms
Measles spreads rapidly through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or breathes. The virus is highly contagious, remaining transmissible for four days before and after a rash appears. Early symptoms to watch for include a fever exceeding 101°F, a cough, a runny nose, and watery eyes, followed by the characteristic rash.
Anyone who believes they were exposed at Dulles or Mary’s Center is advised to monitor their health for 21 days. If symptoms develop, officials urge immediate isolation. Immunocompromised individuals, who face a higher risk of severe complications, are encouraged to consult their physicians immediately if they suspect they have been exposed.
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