Measles exposure reported at Alexandria office building as Virginia cases reach 10
Two adults who traveled together are latest confirmed cases in ongoing northern Virginia outbreak
Health officials have identified the first measles exposure site within Alexandria city limits as Virginia’s case count climbs to 10 this year.
The Alexandria Health Department warned Thursday that two adults who recently traveled together domestically have tested positive for measles, potentially exposing people at an office building at 2800 Eisenhower Ave. between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tuesday.
In an update Friday afternoon, the health department specified a dozen offices that may have been affected, including the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Application Support Center, where people go for biometric services appointments such as fingerprints and photographs for immigration benefits. Other locations listed include ClearChoice Dental Implant Center, Fairfax Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Bodies in Motion Physical Therapy and Columbia Associates, a mental health provider.
“Never did I think we would be talking about this,” Mayor Alyia Gaskins said in a video update Friday. “As someone with a background in public health, all I can say is it’s really important for all of us to make sure that we are up to date on all of our vaccines because they’re important not just for your health, but for the community’s health.”
The infected individuals also visited multiple locations in Manassas between Feb. 13 and Feb. 16, including stores, restaurants and two churches.
The announcement comes just days after the Virginia Department of Health reported a separate case involving an adult who had traveled internationally and visited locations in Lorton between Feb. 11 and Feb. 14, including a Giant Food store, an urgent care clinic and a hospital emergency room.
Northern Virginia has seen a steady stream of measles alerts since late January, when health officials first warned of an exposure at Dulles International Airport.
Anyone present at the listed locations during the specified times should fill out a survey for the Virginia Department of Health. Those who have received two doses of the measles vaccine, were born before 1957 or have previously had measles are considered protected.
Unvaccinated individuals should monitor for symptoms for 21 days, including fever over 101 degrees, runny nose, cough, red or watery eyes and rash.
Those with questions may email epi_response@vdh.virginia.gov or call the Alexandria Health Department at 703-746-4988.
This story was updated at 9:20 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, with comments from Mayor Alyia Gaskins.
This story was updated at 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, with a list of specific offices in the Eisenhower Avenue building identified as potential exposure sites.