Health officials in Washington, D.C., have warned about a potential measles exposure at two major regional airports. A person with a confirmed case of measles traveled through Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, prompting authorities to notify residents who may have been at these locations during the specified times.
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According to DC Health and the Virginia Department of Health, the potential measles exposure occurred at Dulles International Airport’s international arrivals area between 4 and 8 p.m. on January 3. The following day, the person traveled through terminal A at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. However, officials confirmed that the risk of transmission is low: “While the threat of transmission is low, DC Health is notifying District residents who were at these locations about their possible exposure.”
Health officials advise anyone potentially exposed to remain vigilant until January 25. If symptoms of measles, such as fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, develop, individuals are advised to isolate themselves by staying home and away from others. Contacting a healthcare provider immediately and informing them about the potential exposure to measles is crucial, as reported by New York Post.
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The Department of Health also said in a statement that the second stage of measles can appear on the face three to five days after symptoms have started:
“The second stage starts 3 to 5 days after symptoms start, when a rash begins to appear on the face and spread to the rest of the body. People with measles are contagious from 4 days before the rash appears through 4 days after the rash appeared,”
However, it was unclear which airline the passenger with measles traveled on.