{"id":2430,"date":"2025-03-12T14:31:31","date_gmt":"2025-03-12T14:31:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/?page_id=2430"},"modified":"2026-01-21T13:52:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T13:52:24","slug":"measles-updates-for-virginia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/clinician-letters\/measles-updates-for-virginia\/","title":{"rendered":"Measles Updates for Virginia\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"VDH
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Measles Updates for Virginia\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>March 12, 2025<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dear Colleague:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This letter provides important updates and reminders about measles.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) recently <\/span>reported<\/span><\/a> that a confirmed case of measles travelled through Dulles International Airport (IAD) on March 5, 2025 while infectious. The confirmed case was a person who was returning from international travel. The Maryland Department of Health <\/span>reported<\/span><\/a> an additional exposure location in Maryland associated with this case. Anyone who might have been exposed to this case and is at risk of developing measles is asked to watch for symptoms until March 26, 2025.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Virginia clinicians are asked to stay alert for measles given this recent exposure event and other ongoing <\/span>measles outbreaks in the United States<\/span><\/a>. These reminders are echoed in a recent <\/span>Health Advisory from the Centers of Disease Prevention and Control (CDC)<\/span><\/a>. It is critical that clinicians remain vigilant for cases of febrile rash that could be consistent with <\/span>measles<\/span><\/a>, particularly in unvaccinated persons.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Vaccination provides the best protection against measles. To prevent measles infection and spread, make sure that patients are up to date on recommended <\/span>measles vaccines<\/span><\/a>, especially before international travel, regardless of destination. With spring and summer travel approaching, this is a critical time for clinicians to emphasize the importance of preventing the spread of measles through vaccination. People six through eleven months of age who will be\u202ftraveling internationally, or to an <\/span>outbreak setting,<\/span><\/a> should receive one dose of MMR vaccine prior to travel. Infants who get one dose of MMR vaccine before their first birthday should still get two more doses after one year of age (one dose at 12 through 15 months of age and another dose separated by at least 28 days).\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

VDH Recommendations for Providers<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Consider measles in patients with fever and a generalized maculopapular rash who have recently traveled out of the country or to regions of the United States reporting <\/span>measles outbreaks<\/span><\/a>. Other symptoms include cough, coryza, or conjunctivitis.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you suspect measles:\u202f\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n