Measles Confirmed in Person Who Traveled Throughout Montgomery County

Montgomery County health officials said Thursday that a person who has traveled about the county has a confirmed diagnosis of measles.

Because of patient privacy, little has been revealed about the individual.

A statement from the county health department says the person contracted measles outside of the United States; developed symptoms here; and received a confirmed diagnosis Wednesday.

The person is under medical care.

The person arrived at Dulles International Airport on Tuesday, May 15, and was in the international arrivals area and baggage claim from about 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The times have been padded by two hours out of an abundance of caution, health department spokesman Mary Anderson said.

The person was at Nordstrom Rack, 15760 Shady Grove Road, Gaithersburg, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 17.

And the person was at Montgomery County Circuit Court, 50 Maryland Ave., Hearing Room 2K, Second Floor, South Tower, Rockville, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, May 18.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that is spread through the air when someone with measles coughs or sneezes (and by direct contact with infected nose or throat secretions), the health department said.

Symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people develop a fever greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery eyes, and a cough.

The second stage begins around the third to seventh day when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads over the entire body.  Some may develop symptoms up to 21 days after exposure.

Conjunctivitis can be a symptom in second stage, Anderson said.

Anderson said the case points up the importance of vaccination.

“You don’t have to worry about this if you’re vaccinated against measles,” she said.

Even if the vaccination was decades ago, health officials believe the vaccination is still current, she said.

The health department suggests that if you notice the symptoms of measles, you should immediately limit your exposure to other people. Individuals who are concerned about possible exposure and vulnerability to measles should contact their primary health care provider or local health department before visiting a provider office or health care facility.

Taking these steps reduces the chances of potentially exposing other people to measles. Potentially exposed individuals with questions may call the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ Disease Control Office at 240-777-1755.  Calls after hours or on the weekend can be directed to the County’s Crisis Center at 240-777-4000.

Measles has been virtually eliminated in the United States because of the widespread use of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. However, sporadic cases can arise when infected people enter the United States or when an unvaccinated individual visits a foreign country where measles circulates in the population. Proof of vaccination against measles has been required for school admission since 1957 and for citizenship applicants, so that most people have either been vaccinated or are from a generation when they were exposed to measles as a child.

If you have received at least one dose of the MMR vaccine, you carry a very low risk of measles infection.  If you have not received a dose of the vaccine, you might be at risk of measles infection.

Vaccination with MMR is recommended for all children, with the first dose given at about one year of age and a second dose between ages four and six—before the child enters kindergarten.  The second dose is critically important to ensure protection from measles. Individuals 12 months and older can receive MMR vaccine.

For more information about measles, visit www.cdc.gov/measles.

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