Two Maryland incidents confirmed by international travelers

Two more measles cases have been reported in Maryland, bringing the state's total to three, the Maryland Department of Health reported Thursday.

Authorities say two Prince George County residents who recently traveled internationally together have been confirmed to have measles. a A Howard County resident was reported He developed measles on March 9th.

Health officials say these recent cases are not related to the Howard County incident or outbreaks in Texas, Oklahoma or New Mexico.

Health officials are working to identify potentially exposed people, including contacting passengers who have been exposed on certain flights.

Anyone who visited the next location during the next time could be public.

• Washington Dulles International Airport: Concourse A, transport to International Arrival Building (IAB) and baggage request area on March 5th from 8am to 12:30pm
• Kaiser Permanente Largo Medical Center, 1221 Mercantile LN, Upper Marlborough
• March 5th, 7:30pm – March 6th, 4:30am
• March 13th, 4:15am to 10:00am
• March 15th, 7:45am to 3:15pm
• March 17th, 2:30pm to 7pm
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport: Terminal Shuttle Bus from 12pm to 2:30pm on March 14th
• Washington Metro Area Transit: Yellow Line Train From Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Station, you will be heading to Silver Line Train, which will take you to Lampant Plaza Station, heading downtown, from March 14th to 12:15pm to 3:15pm
• Passport Toyota, 5001 Auth Way, Suitland, March 17th, 10am to 1:30pm

Measles symptoms usually occur 10-14 days after exposure to the virus, but can occur as many as 7 days and 21 days after exposure.

People are generally immune to measles if they have two vaccine shots, previously had the virus, or were born in the United States before 1957.

Symptoms of measles

The early symptoms of measles are fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit, runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes. Usually, one to four days after the initial symptoms, a red rash appears on the face and spreads across the rest of the body.

People with measles are contagious four days before the rash begins.

The people at the highest risk of measles infection complications are pregnant women, babies under the age of one year, and those with immune liability, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

People in these at-risk groups are concerned about potential exposures, and those who are not immune should contact their health care provider.

“Measles incidents occur sporadically in Maryland,” according to a health department official.

The most recent case is one case of measles identified in Maryland in 2024. One in 2023and there are no cases between 2020 and 2022.

If you think you or your child has measles, health experts say it's important to call your doctor or your local health department before you go to the emergency room to prevent exposure to others.

Measles in Howard County

Maryland health officials said measles was detected in a Howard County resident on March 9 after a trip abroad.

Anyone who visited the next location during the next time could be public.

• Washington Dulles International Airport: During transport to Terminal A, Main Terminal, and in baggage billing area on March 5th between 4pm and 9pm.
• Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center Pediatric Emergency Division, March 7, from 3:30pm to 7:30pm.

Doctors promote vaccinations

A Johns Hopkins doctor urged Maryland residents, particularly children, to get measles vaccinated.

Doctors say measles is particularly dangerous and can cause complications in immunocompromised infants.

“Cough, runny nose, fever is present,” said Dr. Aaron Millstone, a pediatric infectious disease expert at Johns Hopkins Children's Center. “Some kids have watery eyes, then a few days after the illness, people get out of the rash, and the rash usually starts on the face and forehead and then descends down the body.”

The doctor says The best protection is MMR (Mmg, measles, rubella) Vaccinations are usually given to children in two doses.

“The only thing to prevent measles is avoiding vaccination or exposure,” Millstone said. “Vitamin A helps treat children with measles by reducing the severity of the disease. We treat something to help you with your fever. We make sure you stay hydrated, but there are no other medications available to treat people with measles. It's really supportive care.”