Arlington County Public Health is investigating a confirmed case of measles in an individual who visited a grocery store on Glebe Road earlier this month.
Health officials said in a news release Friday night that the patient, who was from another state, was contagious at the time.
“Out of an abundance of caution, ACPHD has notified people who were at this location of the possible exposure,” the statement said.
Health officials say people who were at the Harris Teeter store at 624B N Glebe Road between noon and 4 p.m. on July 1 may have been exposed to the virus.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes.
Measles symptoms usually appear in two stages.
In the first stage, most people experience symptoms such as a fever of 101 degrees or higher, runny nose, bloodshot eyes, and cough. These symptoms usually begin 7 to 14 days after infection.
The second stage begins 3 to 5 days after symptoms begin, when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads to other parts of the body. People infected with measles are contagious from 4 days before the rash appears until 4 days after the rash appears.
The health department says that if you have been infected with measles but have never received a measles-containing vaccine (measles, mumps, or rubella): [MMR] If you are not vaccinated, or have not received the measles-specific vaccine available in other countries, you may be at risk of developing measles.
Anyone at risk of contracting and developing measles should watch for symptoms through July 22. If they notice symptoms, they should immediately stay home and avoid contact with others, isolate themselves, and contact their health care provider right away.
Before going to a medical facility or emergency room, call ahead to tell them you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the local health department. This will help protect other patients and staff.
If you have had two doses of the measles-containing vaccine or were born before 1957, you are protected and don't need to do anything.
If you have received only one dose of the measles-containing vaccine, you are very likely protected and the risk of contracting measles from any of these exposures is very low, but to achieve full immunity, you should ask your health care provider about getting a second dose of the vaccine.
If you are immunocompromised, consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions or experience symptoms.
According to the health department, measles is preventable with the MMR vaccine, which provides lifelong protection with two doses.
Virginia has a high measles vaccination rate, with about 95% of kindergarteners fully vaccinated against measles, but infants under 12 months of age are too young to be vaccinated and are therefore much more likely to become infected if they come into contact with someone with measles.
If you or your child have not yet been vaccinated, please contact Arlington County Public Health or your health care provider to receive the first of two doses as soon as possible. To check your vaccination status, call your health care provider or request records through the VDH Immunization Records Request Form.
Healthcare workers should always be vigilant and raise the index of suspicion for measles in any clinically compatible case, especially if the patient has had recent measles infection, the release states. Measles is an immediately reportable disease. Any suspected cases should be immediately contacted by the local health department to arrange for public health testing.
If you have any questions about this potential exposure, please contact the Arlington County Public Health Department’s Infectious Disease Program at 703-228-5657.
