Alexandria health officials warn of measles exposure at Dulles airport
Virginia has reported four cases of the disease so far in 2026
The Alexandria Health Department is urging residents to check their vaccination status after a confirmed measles case passed through Washington Dulles International Airport last weekend.
The infected individual, a resident of another state, traveled through the airport on Saturday, Jan. 24, potentially exposing travelers in multiple locations, according to a joint announcement from local and state health officials.
Exposure sites include Concourse B, transportation to the International Arrivals Building and the baggage claim area between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. that day. The shuttle bus to rental car facilities may have also exposed passengers between 7 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.
The Virginia Department of Health is working to identify and contact passengers on specific flights who may have been exposed.
Officials say those who have received the recommended measles vaccine or were born before 1957 do not need to take any action. Unvaccinated individuals born after 1957 should monitor for symptoms for 21 days, including fever over 101 degrees, runny nose, cough, red or watery eyes and rash.
Anyone who develops symptoms should isolate and contact a doctor immediately.
Virginia has recorded four measles cases so far this year.
Residents can verify their vaccination status through their physician or the Virginia MMR record portal. Those with questions may call the Alexandria Health Department at 703-746-4988.
Great work pinpointing those specific exposure windows at Dulles. The 5am to 9am timeframe for baggage claim is actually tighter than most airport surveillance I've seen before, which usualy gets messy with overlapping shift changes. Having the shuttle bus timing too helps people know whether they're genuinely at risk instead of just panicking.