Possible cases of measles in Arlington and Washington, DC on July 1 and 2. What you need to know. – NBC4 Washington

Health officials are urging people to watch for symptoms of measles if they were in any of three locations in Arlington and Washington, D.C., in early July.

The individual now confirmed to have measles, who was visiting from outside the Washington, DC area, visited all three of these locations on July 1 and July 2, meaning others who were at these locations may have been exposed to measles while the individual was contagious.

Where was the measles outbreak?

According to officials with Arlington County Public Health and the Washington DC Department of Health, here are the places, dates and times where people may have been exposed to measles:

• Harris Teeter, 624B N Glebe Road in Arlington, July 1st from 12pm to 4pm
• CVS Pharmacy at 2226 Wisconsin Avenue NW in Washington, DC, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 2nd from 11am to 1pm at LabCorp's facility at 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW in Washington, DC

If you or someone you know was in any of these locations at that time, please know:

As the new school year approaches, it's important for children to be up to date on all vaccinations. News4's Jummy Olabanji covers what exactly kids need to do to stay safe when they return to school. For more information on childhood vaccines and school requirements in your area, go here: DC: http://nbc4dc.com/6OaU4pQ Maryland: http://nbc4dc.com/lNvbfrB Virginia: http://nbc4dc.com/821GIM3

Who is at risk for contracting measles?

People who have been vaccinated against measles are protected.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, provide complete protection against the diseases. (Other countries also have a measles-specific vaccine that provides the same level of protection as the MMR vaccine in the United States.)

Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide lifelong protection.

If you have received just one dose of the MMR vaccine, you are very likely protected if you become infected with measles, but even if you are at low risk of infection, health officials recommend contacting your doctor or other health care provider about getting a second dose.

People born before 1957 have presumed immunity to measles because they were likely exposed to this highly contagious disease while attending school before the first vaccine was available. Bloomberg reports.

However, people born after 1957 who have never been vaccinated against measles, people under 12 months of age who are too young to be vaccinated, and people who are immunocompromised should be aware of possible symptoms.

What are the measles symptoms to look out for?

Measles is highly contagious. It spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes, and symptoms appear in two stages, according to Washington DC health officials.

In the first stage, most infected people will experience symptoms such as a fever of 101 degrees or higher, runny nose, bloodshot eyes, and a cough — similar to the common cold, COVID-19, and flu.

This first stage can begin anywhere between seven and 14 days after exposure to measles. For people infected in Arlington or Washington, DC, symptoms could appear before July 15 or 16.

The second stage of measles causes a rash that starts on the face and spreads to other parts of the body. The rash may appear three to five days after the first stage symptoms.

The contagious period for measles begins 4 days before the rash appears and lasts until 4 days after the rash appears.

How long should infected people monitor for symptoms?

Because measles is currently highly contagious, health officials are urging anyone who may have been exposed to the virus in Arlington or Washington, D.C., to monitor for symptoms through July 22.

If I have measles, do I need to be quarantined?

If you have measles, you do not automatically need to be quarantined.

But if you notice any symptoms of measles, health officials urge you to isolate yourself immediately at that point: stay at home and stay away from people who live in the same household.

It's especially important for people who may have measles to stay away from infants under 12 months of age and people who haven't been vaccinated against the virus. Unvaccinated people are highly susceptible to infection if exposed to measles.

If you start experiencing symptoms that could be measles, contact your health care provider right away. Call and notify your doctor's office or clinic before visiting in person so they can help protect staff and other patients from the virus.