Maryland Confirms First Measles Case in Traveler at Major DC Airport

The state of Maryland has reported its first confirmed measles case in a Howard County resident who recently returned from international travel. The Maryland Department of Health (MDH), along with Virginia health officials and Howard County representatives, made the announcement on Sunday.

Authorities clarified that this case is not linked to recent outbreaks in Texas or New Mexico, but it highlights the ongoing risks of measles exposure in public spaces. Officials are working to track possible exposures at specific times and locations.

Exposure Details:

• March 5, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Washington Dulles International Airport, Terminal A, transportation areas to the main terminal, and baggage claim.
• March 7, 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center Pediatric Emergency Department.

Residents who were present at these locations during the noted times are urged to monitor themselves for symptoms and update their measles vaccinations if needed. Early signs include fever (over 101°F), runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes. A distinctive rash typically appears one to four days after these initial symptoms, starting on the face and spreading across the body.

Measles symptoms can surface between seven and 21 days after exposure, with 10 to 14 days being the most common timeline, according to MDH. The disease is contagious from four days before the rash appears to four days afterward, making prompt action essential.

Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst, emphasized the high contagion risk: "If you're unvaccinated, there's a 90% chance you'll contract measles just by being in the same room where an infected person was, even if they left two hours earlier."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the two-dose measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine as the most effective prevention method. Pregnant women, infants under one year old, and immunocompromised individuals face the highest risk of severe complications.

MDH advises anyone experiencing symptoms to avoid public spaces, childcare, school, and work. Instead, they should contact their healthcare provider by phone before visiting to ensure proper precautions are taken to prevent further spread.

Maryland has seen sporadic measles cases recently, with one in 2024 and one in 2023, but none from 2020 to 2022. Meanwhile, Texas reported nearly 200 confirmed cases as of Friday, predominantly among unvaccinated school-aged children.