Tag: measles

Virginia Health Officials Investigating Measles Exposure in Northern Virginia

June 20, 2026
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Virginia Health Officials Investigating Measles Exposure in Northern Virginia
Virginia Department of Health is Working to Identify People Who Are at Risk

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) was notified of a confirmed case of measles that traveled through Washington Dulles International Airport Wednesday, June 17. The person traveled internationally and is an out-of-state resident. To protect the patient’s privacy, VDH will not provide any additional information about the patient. Health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed, including contacting potentially exposed passengers on specific flights.

Listed below are the dates, times, and location of the potential exposure site in Virginia:

  • Dulles International Airport (IAD): Concourse C, on transportation to the International Arrivals Building (IAB), and in the baggage claim area between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 17.

Any additional exposure sites identified in Virginia will be posted to the VDH Measles website. Additional exposure sites have been identified in Washington, D.C., and Maryland.

What to Do If You Have Been Exposed to Measles

Most people in Virginia have immunity to measles through vaccination, so the risk to the general public is low. However, anyone who was at the potential exposure site at the date and times listed should:

  • Report your exposure to VDH by completing this short survey. Public health officials will follow up with respondents if additional actions are needed.
  • Find out if you have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles previously. Make sure you are up to date with the recommended number of measles (MMR) vaccinations.
    • To check your immunization status, call your healthcare provider or request records through the VDH Record Request Portal.
    • If you have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, you are considered protected and do not need to seek post-exposure treatment at this time.
  • If you are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles, you should contact your healthcare provider or call your local health department promptly to discuss any questions you might have. People who are not immune to measles may qualify for post-exposure treatments. A small timeframe exists for these protective post-exposure treatments to be effective.
  • Watch for symptoms of measles for 21 days after the potential exposure. Monitoring for symptoms is especially important for people who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles.
    • If you notice symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying home. Contact your healthcare provider right away. If you need to seek healthcare, call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the local health department. This call will help protect other patients and staff.
    • The most likely time you would become sick would be between June 24 and July 8.
    • Contact your local health department or email epi_response@vdh.virginia.gov to discuss any additional recommendations.

General Measles Information

Measles is a highly contagious illness that can spread 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 have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a cough. These symptoms usually start seven to 14 days after being exposed. The second stage starts three to five days after symptoms start, when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. People with measles are contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appeared.

Measles is preventable through a safe and effective MMR vaccine. Two doses of the vaccine are given to provide lifetime protection. Virginia has high measles vaccination rates, with approximately 95% of kindergarteners fully vaccinated against measles. However, infants who are too young to be vaccinated, and others who are not vaccinated, are at high risk of developing measles if they are exposed. Infants six months through 11 months of age who will be traveling internationally, or to an outbreak setting, should receive one dose of MMR vaccine prior to travel. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about the MMR vaccine.

To date in 2026, Virginia has reported 129 cases of measles; 106 of these have been associated with an on-going measles outbreak in Buckingham County.

For more information about measles visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/. For additional questions, contact VDH’s Call Center at 877-829-4682 (Option 2 then Option 3 “Other”), The VDH Call Center is available Monday–Friday (except holidays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Southside Health District Asks for Community’s Help to Stop Measles Spread

June 12, 2026
Media Contact: Linda Scarborough, linda.scarborough@vdh.virginia.gov

Southside Health District Asks for Community’s Help to Stop Measles Spread
Health Officials Encourage Skipping Large, Crowded Events if Unvaccinated

HALIFAX, Va. – Currently, Buckingham County, which borders, Halifax County, is experiencing a measles outbreak. The number of measles cases in the Buckingham area has been climbing since early May. The Southside Health District is asking for the community’s help to stop the spread of measles in the area. Health officials are encouraging people to skip large, crowded events in the Buckingham area if they are unvaccinated or if they are experiencing symptoms of measles.

Currently, the Buckingham outbreak has 88 cases. Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases and spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. A person with measles can spread the virus from four days before until four days after a rash begins, meaning someone can spread measles before they know they are sick. Attendance at large, crowded events increases your risk of exposure if you are unvaccinated.

Vaccination remains the best protection against measles. If you or a loved one have not had two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, contact your healthcare provider or call your local health department to schedule a vaccine appointment today.

To check your immunization status, call your healthcare provider or request records through the VDH Record Request Portal.

If you have been exposed to measles, watch for symptoms of measles for 21 days after the potential exposure. If you notice symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying home. Contact your healthcare provider right away. If you need to seek healthcare, call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the local health department. This call will help protect other patients and staff.

For more information about measles, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/. For additional questions, contact VDH’s Call Center at 877-829-4682 (Option 2), The VDH Call Center is available Monday–Friday (except holidays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Virginia Department of Health Media Update June 9

Posted on by brookiecrawford

TOP UPDATES

Measles

Update:

VDH is reporting 15 additional measles cases since the June 4 measles dashboard update.  All of these new cases are associated with outbreak in Buckingham County, bringing the total of outbreak-associated cases to 83. As of June 9, VDH is reporting a total of 106 cases of measles in 2006.

VDH Response:

  • VDH has one active measles outbreak. Piedmont Health District is working to identify any additional cases, connecting people with testing and care, holding local vaccination clinics, and providing health education to the community.
  • The VDH measles dashboard shows key information to help Virginians see measles trends, understand the impact, and know their risk of exposure. The dashboard will be updated every Tuesday and Thursday around noon (eastern).
  • Send all questions and interview requests to Brookie Crawford at crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Public Guidance:

Measles is highly contagious and can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. Vaccination remains the best protection against measles.

People who live in or visit the Buckingham County area should talk with their healthcare provider about outbreak vaccination recommendations, which includes considering an early MMR dose for infants older than six months to provide protection while measles is circulating in the community.

Unvaccinated people should avoid attending large or crowded events in the Buckingham area during the outbreak to protect themselves and help stop the spread of measles.

 

Hantavirus

Update:

Three people in Virginia have completed their 42-day public health monitoring period. All three remained healthy.

Virginia Response:

  • VDH continues to closely monitor this situation and coordinate with federal, state, and local partners.
  • VDH continues to provide updates on Virginia response on the VDH’s hantavirus webpage.
  • Send all questions and interview requests to Logan Anderson at Logan.Anderson@vdh.virginia.gov.

Public Guidance:

To date, no Andes Virus cases associated with the cruise ship outbreak have been reported in the United States, and the risk of spread is considered very low.

 

Ebola

Update:

On June 5, 2026, CDC expanded the area of concern for this response to include the entire country of Uganda (was previously just the capital region of Kampala).

VDH Response:

  • VDH continues to closely monitor this situation and coordinate with federal, state, and local partners.
  • VDH is conducting public health symptom monitoring for travelers in Virginia who have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan for 21 days after leaving an affected country. To protect the privacy and safety of people under monitoring, VDH will not publicly share any details about these individuals.
  • VDH shares information, coordinates, and plans with healthcare partners so that anyone who develops symptoms while under monitoring can be quickly isolated and evaluated by healthcare providers.
  • VDH coordinates with laboratory partners to make sure that potentially exposed people can be tested quickly if they become ill.
  • VDH continues to provide updates on the Virginia Ebola response on the VDH Ebola webpage.

Public Guidance:

To date, no Ebola cases associated with this outbreak have been reported in the United States, and the risk to the general public remains low.

Media Resources

Quotes

“While we continue to see measles cases increase across Virginia, VDH is actively responding to help contain spread, connect individuals to care, and protect communities most at risk. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases, but it’s also one of the most preventable.  The MMR vaccine provides the best protection against measle. With summer travel and gatherings ahead, now is the time to make sure that you and your family are up to date on vaccinations. If you have questions, your healthcare provider or local health department is a great place to start.”

— State Health Commissioner Dr. Cameron Webb

About

VDH works to protect and promote the health of all Virginians through disease prevention, health promotion, emergency preparedness, and community partnerships.

Our weekly update provides timely information on public health issues affecting communities across the Commonwealth, including disease trends, prevention guidance, safety advisories, and community resources. Our agency strives to keep media partners and the public informed about emerging health concerns, response efforts, and actions Virginians can take to protect their health.

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Virginia Health Officials Investigating Another Measles Exposure in Central Region

May 29, 2026
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Virginia Health Officials Investigating Another Measles Exposure in Central Region
Virginia Department of Health is Working to Identify People Who Are at Risk

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health is reporting an additional measles exposure in a healthcare facility in the Central Region. This case is associated with the ongoing measles outbreak in Buckingham County. To protect the person’s privacy, VDH will not provide any additional information about the person. Health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed.

Listed below are the dates, times, and location of the potential exposure site in Virginia:

  • Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital located at 5801 Bremo Road in Richmond, between Wednesday, May 20 and Sunday, May 24 until noon.

To date in 2026, Virginia has reported 64 cases of measles. Any additional exposure sites identified in Virginia will be posted to the VDH Measles website.

What to Do If You Have Been Exposed to Measles

Anyone who was at the potential exposure site at the times listed should:

  • Report your exposure to VDH by completing this short survey. Public health officials will follow up with respondents if additional actions are needed.
  • Find out if you have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles previously. Make sure you are up to date with the recommended number of measles (MMR) vaccinations.
    • To check your immunization status, call your healthcare provider or request records through the VDH Record Request Portal.
    • If you have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, you are considered protected and do not need to seek post-exposure treatment at this time.
  • People who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles should contact their healthcare provider or call their local health department promptly to discuss any questions they might have. People who are not immune to measles may qualify for post-exposure treatments. There is a small timeframe for these protective post-exposure treatments to be effective.
  • Watch for symptoms of measles for 21 days after the potential exposure. Monitoring for symptoms is especially important for people who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles.
    • If you notice symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying home. Contact your healthcare provider right away. If you need to seek healthcare, call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the local health department. This call will help protect other patients and staff.
    • The most likely time you would become sick would be between May 27 and June 14.
    • Contact your local health department or email epi_response@vdh.virginia.gov to discuss any additional recommendations

Given the ongoing outbreak of measles in Buckingham County, all residents and visitors to Buckingham County should take additional steps to assess their immunity. In addition to routine vaccine recommendations, VDH encourages people who live in or visit the Buckingham County area to talk with their healthcare provider about the following outbreak vaccination recommendations:

  • Infants aged 6 to 11 months are advised to get an early dose of the MMR vaccine. Infants who receive an early dose of MMR vaccine before their first birthday should receive two more doses at the recommended ages at least 28 days apart.
  • Children aged 12 months to 18 years old who have not yet been vaccinated or never had measles infection should receive their first MMR vaccine dose with a second dose at least 28 days after the first dose.
  • Children aged 12 months or older who have previously received only one MMR dose should receive a second MMR vaccine dose at least 28 days after the first dose.
  • Adults born after 1957 who have not previously been vaccinated or never had measles infection should receive at least one dose of MMR vaccine. Adults in select risk groups should receive two doses of MMR at least 28 days apart.

General Measles Information

Measles is a highly contagious illness that can spread 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 have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a cough. These symptoms usually start seven to 14 days after being exposed. The second stage starts three to five days after symptoms start, when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. People with measles are contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appeared.

Measles is preventable through a safe and effective MMR vaccine. Two doses of the vaccine are given to provide lifetime protection. Virginia has high measles vaccination rates, with approximately 95% of kindergarteners fully vaccinated against measles. However, infants who are too young to be vaccinated, and others who are not vaccinated, are at high risk of developing measles if they are exposed. Infants six months through 11 months of age who will be traveling internationally, or to an outbreak setting, should receive one dose of MMR vaccine prior to travel. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about the MMR vaccine.

For more information about measles visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/. For additional questions, contact VDH’s Call Center at 877-829-4682 (Option 2 then Option 3 “Other”), The VDH Call Center is available Monday–Friday (except holidays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Virginia Health Officials Investigating Measles Exposure in Central Region

May 28, 2026
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Virginia Health Officials Investigating Measles Exposure in Central Region
Virginia Department of Health is Working to Identify People Who Are at Risk

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health is reporting a measles exposure in a healthcare facility in the Central Region. The patient is associated with the ongoing measles outbreak in Buckingham County. To protect the patient’s privacy, VDH will not provide any additional information about the patient. Health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed.

Listed below are the dates, times, and location of the potential exposure site in Virginia:

  • Centra Southside Community Hospital Emergency Department located at 800 Oak St. in Farmville between 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 26

To date in 2026, Virginia has reported 64 cases of measles. Any additional exposure sites identified in Virginia will be posted to the VDH Measles website.

What to Do If You Have Been Exposed to Measles

Anyone who was at the potential exposure site at the times listed should:

  • Report your exposure to VDH by completing this short survey. Public health officials will follow up with respondents if additional actions are needed.
  • Find out if you have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles previously. Make sure you are up to date with the recommended number of measles (MMR) vaccinations.
    • To check your immunization status, call your healthcare provider or request records through the VDH Record Request Portal.
    • If you have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, you are considered protected and do not need to seek post-exposure treatment at this time.
  • People who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles should contact their healthcare provider or call their local health department promptly to discuss any questions they might have. People who are not immune to measles may qualify for post-exposure treatments. There is a small timeframe for these protective post-exposure treatments to be effective.
  • Watch for symptoms of measles for 21 days after the potential exposure. Monitoring for symptoms is especially important for people who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles.
    • If you notice symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying home. Contact your healthcare provider right away. If you need to seek healthcare, call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the local health department. This call will help protect other patients and staff.
    • The most likely time you would become sick would be between June 2 and June 16.
    • Contact your local health department or email epi_response@vdh.virginia.gov to discuss any additional recommendations

Given the ongoing outbreak of measles in Buckingham County, all residents and visitors to Buckingham County should take additional steps to assess their immunity. In addition to routine vaccine recommendations, VDH encourages people who live in or visit the Buckingham County area to talk with their healthcare provider about the following outbreak vaccination recommendations:

  • Infants aged 6 to 11 months are advised to get an early dose of the MMR vaccine. Infants who receive an early dose of MMR vaccine before their first birthday should receive two more doses at the recommended ages at least 28 days apart.
  • Children aged 12 months to 18 years old who have not yet been vaccinated or never had measles infection should receive their first MMR vaccine dose with a second dose at least 28 days after the first dose.
  • Children aged 12 months or older who have previously received only one MMR dose should receive a second MMR vaccine dose at least 28 days after the first dose.
  • Adults born after 1957 who have not previously been vaccinated or never had measles infection should receive at least one dose of MMR vaccine. Adults in select risk groups should receive two doses of MMR at least 28 days apart.

General Measles Information

Measles is a highly contagious illness that can spread 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 have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a cough. These symptoms usually start seven to 14 days after being exposed. The second stage starts three to five days after symptoms start, when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. People with measles are contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appeared.

Measles is preventable through a safe and effective MMR vaccine. Two doses of the vaccine are given to provide lifetime protection. Virginia has high measles vaccination rates, with approximately 95% of kindergarteners fully vaccinated against measles. However, infants who are too young to be vaccinated, and others who are not vaccinated, are at high risk of developing measles if they are exposed. Infants six months through 11 months of age who will be traveling internationally, or to an outbreak setting, should receive one dose of MMR vaccine prior to travel. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about the MMR vaccine.

For more information about measles visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/.

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Virginia Department of Health Launches Measles Dashboard Amid Uptick in Measles Cases, Outbreak

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 21, 2026
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Virginia Department of Health Launches Measles Dashboard Amid Uptick in Measles Cases, Outbreak

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is launching a new measles dashboard. This dashboard shows key information to help Virginians see measles trends, understand the impact, and know their risk of exposure as measles cases increase nationally and across the Commonwealth.

“It’s important for Virginians to know what is happening in their communities in real time,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Cameron Webb. “This dashboard is our commitment to being as transparent as possible about the impact of measles across the Commonwealth. When people have clear, accessible information, they can make informed decisions to protect themselves and their families.”

The dashboard shows how many measles cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have been reported. You can also see case numbers by age, health district, and other key factors. Updates will be posted Tuesdays and Thursdays around noon.

To date in 2026, VDH has reported 40 cases of measles. Of those cases, 17 are related to an outbreak in Buckingham County. A measles outbreak is defined as three or more related cases among members of different households. The number of cases this year has quickly outpaced the five reported cases from last year.

Measles activity in the U.S., including Virginia, is rising due to increased travel-related exposures, both international and domestic, and declining national vaccination rates. Children younger than 12 months of age and others who are not vaccinated are very susceptible to infection if they are exposed to someone with measles.

The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best protection against measles. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective. If you or a loved one are not up-to-date with routine MMR vaccines, contact your healthcare provider or call your local health department to schedule a vaccine appointment today. People who live in or visit the Buckingham County area should talk with their healthcare provider about outbreak vaccine recommendations. This includes considering an early MMR dose for infants older than six months to provide protection while measles is circulating in the community.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. Most people in Virginia have immunity to measles through vaccination or previous infection with measles. Approximately 95% of kindergarteners in Virginia are fully vaccinated against measles. However, some communities within Virginia may have lower vaccination rates, making them more at risk to measles outbreaks. Fortunately, an increasing number of people are seeking to confirm their MMR vaccine status following Virginia measles exposure events.

For more information about measles, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/. For additional questions, contact VDH’s Call Center at 877-829-4682 (Option 2 then Option 3 “Other”), The VDH Call Center is available Monday–Friday (except holidays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Virginia Health Officials Investigating a Measles Case in the Central Region

May 8, 2026
Media Contact: Brian Little, Central Virginia PIO, brian.little@vdh.virginia.gov 

Virginia Health Officials Investigating a Measles Case in the Central Region
Virginia Department of Health is Notifying the Community of Potential Risk 

BUCKINGHAM COUNTY, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is reporting a confirmed case of measles in a school age child (5-12 years) in the Central Region. The patient did not travel and was exposed to measles locally. To protect the family’s privacy, VDH will not provide any additional information about the patient.  

Based on this information, VDH has reason to suspect that measles virus is circulating in the Buckingham County area, and that there are likely more cases than have been reported. VDH is advising people in the area to make sure they are up to date on their MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, watch for symptoms of measles, and if they feel sick to stay home and contact their healthcare provider. 

The MMR vaccine is the best protection against measles. Children usually receive their first MMR dose at one year of age and a second dose at four years of age. To check your vaccination history, visit the VDH Record Request Portal or contact your healthcare provider. 

Because VDH suspects community transmission in this area, in addition to routine vaccine recommendations described above, we encourage people who live in or visit Buckingham County or the surrounding areas to talk with their healthcare provider about the following vaccine recommendations: 

  • Infants ages 6 to 11 months are advised to get an early dose of the MMR vaccine. Infants who receive an early dose of MMR vaccine before their first birthday should receive two more doses at the recommended ages and at least 28 days apart.   
  • Children aged 12 months or older and adults who have not yet been vaccinated or never had measles infection are advised to get an MMR vaccine dose with a second dose at least 28 days after the first dose. 
  • Children aged 12 months or older who have previously received only one MMR dose are advised to get a second MMR vaccine dose at least 28 days after the first dose. 
  • Adults who have previously received only one MMR dose should consider a second MMR vaccine dose at least 28 days after the first dose.  

Buckingham County residents can call Piedmont Health Department at 434-969-4244 to schedule a vaccination appointment. 

Free or low-cost vaccines are available through Virginia’s Vaccines for Children (VFC) and Vaccines for Adults (VFA) programs for those who are eligible. Locate a VFC or VFA provider on the VDH Website.  

Measles is a highly contagious illness that can spread 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 have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a cough. These symptoms usually start seven to 14 days after being exposed. The second stage starts three to five days after symptoms start, when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. People with measles are contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appeared.  

If you experience symptoms of measles, stay home and away from others. Contact a healthcare provider right away. If you need to seek healthcare, call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the local health department. This call will help protect other patients and staff.  

Contact your local health department or the Piedmont Health Department at 434-392-3984 for any additional recommendations.  

For more information about measles visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/. 

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Virginia Health Officials Investigating Potential Measles Exposure in Northern Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 1, 2026
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Virginia Health Officials Investigating Potential Measles Exposure in Northern Virginia
Virginia Department of Health is Working to Identify People Who Are at Risk

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) was notified of a confirmed case of measles that traveled through Washington Dulles International Airport Thursday, April 23 and Friday, April 24. The person traveled internationally and is an out of state resident. To protect the patient’s privacy, VDH will not provide any additional information about the patient. Health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed, including contacting potentially exposed passengers on specific flights.

Listed below are the dates, times, and locations of the potential exposure sites in Virginia:

  • Dulles International Airport (IAD): in Concourse B, on transportation between the concourse and baggage claim, and in the baggage claim area between 10:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23 and 1:30 a.m. Friday, April 24.

Any additional exposure sites identified in Virginia will be posted to the VDH Measles website. Additional exposure sites have been identified in DC and Maryland.

What to Do If You Have Been Exposed to Measles

Most people in Virginia have immunity to measles through vaccination, so the risk to the general public is low. However, anyone who was at the potential exposure sites at the times listed should:

  • Report your exposure to VDH by completing this short survey. Public health officials will follow up with respondents if additional actions are needed.
  • Find out if you have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles previously. Make sure you are up to date with the recommended number of measles (MMR) vaccinations.
    • To check your immunization status, call your healthcare provider or request records through the VDH Record Request Portal.
    • If you have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, you are considered protected and do not need to seek post-exposure treatment at this time.
  • People who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles should contact their healthcare provider or call their local health department promptly to discuss any questions they might have. If you have already completed the above survey, your local health department will reach out to you to provide recommendations if additional actions are needed.
  • Watch for symptoms of measles for 21 days after the potential exposure. Monitoring for symptoms is especially important for people who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles.
    • If you notice symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying home. Contact your healthcare provider right away. If you need to seek healthcare, call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the local health department. This call will help protect other patients and staff.
    • The most likely time you would become sick would be between April 30 and May 15.
    • Contact your local health department or email epi_response@vdh.virginia.gov to discuss any additional recommendations.

General Measles Information

Measles is a highly contagious illness that can spread 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 have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a cough. These symptoms usually start seven to 14 days after being exposed. The second stage starts three to five days after symptoms start, when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. People with measles are contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appeared.

Measles is preventable through a safe and effective MMR vaccine. Two doses of the vaccine are given to provide lifetime protection. Virginia has high measles vaccination rates, with approximately 95% of kindergarteners fully vaccinated against measles. However, infants who are too young to be vaccinated, and others who are not vaccinated, are at high risk of developing measles if they are exposed. Infants six months through 11 months of age who will be traveling internationally, or to an outbreak setting, should receive one dose of MMR vaccine prior to travel. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about the MMR vaccine.

To date in 2026, Virginia has 21 reported cases of measles. For more information about measles visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/.

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Virginia Health Officials Investigating Two Confirmed Measles Cases in Northwest Region

April 21, 2026
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Virginia Health Officials Investigating Two Confirmed Measles Cases in Northwest Region
Virginia Department of Health is Working to Identify People Who Are at Risk

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health is reporting two confirmed cases of measles in residents of the Northwest Region. The patients are a pre-school age child (0-4 years) and a school-age child (5-12 years) who recently traveled together domestically. To protect the patients’ privacy, VDH will not provide any additional information about the patients. Health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed.

Listed below are the dates, times, and locations of the potential exposure sites in Virginia:

  • KidMed Stafford Urgent Care, located at 20 Doc Stone Road in Stafford, between 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday, April 16.
  • Grafton Village Elementary School, located at 501 Deacon Road in Fredericksburg
    • Monday, April 13 through Thursday, April 16
    • Monday, April 20

To date in 2026, Virginia has 19 reported cases of measles. Any additional exposure sites identified in Virginia will be posted to the VDH Measles website.

What to Do If You Have Been Exposed to Measles

Most people in Virginia have immunity to measles through vaccination, so the risk to the general public is low. However, anyone who was at the potential exposure sites at the times listed should:

  • Report your exposure to VDH by completing this short survey. Public health officials will follow up with respondents if additional actions are needed.
  • Find out if you have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles previously. Make sure you are up to date with the recommended number of measles (MMR) vaccinations.
    • To check your immunization status, call your healthcare provider or request records through the VDH Record Request Portal.
    • If you have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, you are considered protected and do not need to seek post-exposure treatment at this time.
  • People who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles should contact their healthcare provider or call their local health department. People who are not immune to measles may qualify for post-exposure treatments. There is a small timeframe for these protective post-exposure treatments to be effective.
  • Watch for symptoms of measles for 21 days after the potential exposure. Monitoring for symptoms is especially important for people who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles.
    • If you notice symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying home. Contact your healthcare provider right away. If you need to seek healthcare, call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the local health department. This call will help protect other patients and staff.
    • The most likely time you would become sick would be between April 16 and May 11.
    • Contact your local health department or email epi_response@vdh.virginia.gov to discuss any additional recommendations.

General Measles Information

Measles is a highly contagious illness that can spread 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 have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a cough. These symptoms usually start seven to 14 days after being exposed. The second stage starts three to five days after symptoms start, when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. People with measles are contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appeared.

Measles is preventable through a safe and effective MMR vaccine. Two doses of the vaccine are given to provide lifetime protection. Virginia has high measles vaccination rates, with approximately 95% of kindergarteners fully vaccinated against measles. However, infants who are too young to be vaccinated, and others who are not vaccinated, are at high risk of developing measles if they are exposed. Infants six months through 11 months of age who will be traveling internationally, or to an outbreak setting, should receive one dose of MMR vaccine prior to travel. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about the MMR vaccine.

For more information about measles visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/.

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Beat the Back-To-School Rush: Get Your Child Immunized over Spring Break!

March 27, 2026 

Media Contact: Kristy Fowler, Kristy.fowler@vdh.virginia.gov 

 

Beat the Back-To-School Rush: Get Your Child Immunized over Spring Break!
Chesterfield Health District Holding Vaccination Clinics 

CHESTERFIELD, Va. – Setting your kids up for success this school year means making sure they have all the tools they need, including vaccines to protect against preventable diseases such as meningitis, measles, pertussis (whooping cough) and others.  

Chesterfield Health District will offer state-required immunizations during special Spring Break vaccination clinics: 

  • Chesterfield: March 31, April 1 and April 2 by appointment only during regular clinic hours. Call 804-748-1750. 
  • Powhatan: March 30 and 31 by appointment only during regular clinic hours. Call 804-598-5680. 

Please be sure to bring a copy of your child’s vaccination record. If you don’t have it, you can request the record here. If you have health insurance, please also bring your insurance card. 

The Commonwealth of Virginia requires immunizations for entry into kindergarten, seventh grade, and 12th grade. Students who do not get their immunizations will not be admitted to school. Keeping children up to date on vaccinations can reduce severe illnesses and unnecessary absences from school and work, saving your family time and money.  

The evidence shows vaccines are your child’s best defense against infectious disease, like Measles. The highly contagious disease that was declared eliminated in the year 2000 is experiencing a surge in the U.S. with more than 1,280 cases reported so far this year. This includes 14 cases in Virginia, nearly three times as many cases in all of 2025. 

“Vaccines teach your body how to create an immune response,” said LaWanda Dunn, nurse manager at the Chesterfield Health District. “When exposed to the disease, it has the defenses necessary to fight the illness.” 

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) encourages parents to talk with their child’s health care provider about recommended vaccinations. Vaccines are available through your pediatrician, pharmacies, and all local health departments. You will want to check in advance to see if appointments may be necessary.   

Children who are uninsured can still be vaccinated at low or no cost through the Virginia Vaccines for Children (VVFC) program which offers free vaccines to eligible children. You can Locate A VVFC Provider by simply entering your zip code on the VDH website. 

VDH encourages parents to make an appointment as soon as possible to save the stress of trying to find one last minute. As the school year draws near, appointments will no longer be available. For more information, please contact Chesterfield Health District at ChesterfieldVa.health. 

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