Last Updated: March 21, 2025
You’ve probably seen information about measles outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico, along with confirmed cases in other states. Although there are not currently any confirmed measles cases among Virginia residents, it’s still important for us to educate ourselves about this highly contagious and dangerous disease. The good news is that measles is vaccine-preventable! Keep reading for the news you need to know and steps to take next.
What IS measles?
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Measles virus can stay in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area. If one person has measles, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected.
Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Common measles symptoms include:
- High fever (may spike to more than 104° F)
- Cough
- Runny nose (coryza)
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Rash
Measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5. Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). For every 1,000 people infected with measles, 1 to 2 people will die, even if they receive the best possible care. 1 in 4 people who contract measles will be hospitalized.
What’s going on with measles right now?
In the U.S., measles was declared eradicated in 2000. Now, though, we are seeing confirmed cases in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, and Washington. There have been four probable cases in Oklahoma. The vast majority of measles cases in the U.S. have occurred among children and people under the age of 19 who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.
As of Friday, March 21, the outbreak in Texas and New Mexico has resulted in 351 cases, 42 hospitalizations, and the death of an unvaccinated school-aged child in Texas. This is the first U.S. measles death in a decade and the first pediatric death from measles since 2003.
What’s happening with measles in Virginia?
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) was notified of two confirmed cases of measles that traveled through Northern Virginia Wednesday, March 5, and Friday, March 14. These exposures are in addition to a previous exposure on March 5. All three cases are in Maryland residents who traveled internationally. Health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed, including contacting potentially exposed passengers on specific flights.
What should I do if I was exposed at Dulles Airport, Reagan National Airport, or on the Washington Metro?
- Check your vaccine status. If you have never received a measles containing vaccine (either the measles, mumps and rubella [MMR] vaccine or a measles-only vaccine which is available in other countries), you may be at risk of developing measles. Anyone who was exposed and considered to be at risk of developing measles should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
- Watch for symptoms for 21 days after the date of your potential exposure. If you notice the symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying home. Contact your healthcare provider right away. 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.
What do I need to know about measles vaccination?
The best tool for preventing measles infection is two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. In Virginia, this vaccine is required for entry into kindergarten.
According to CDC, communities with MMR vaccination rates below 95% are at risk of a measles outbreak. In Virginia, the MMR vaccination rate for kindergarteners for the 2023-2024 school year was 94.2%. As of fall 2024-2025, the MMR vaccination rate for Richmond City and Henrico County public kindergartens is around 95%. For private kindergartens, the rate is around 91%.
Where can I get the MMR vaccine for my child or myself?
You can get the MMR vaccine from your pediatrician, primary care provider, a local pharmacy, or from an RHHD clinic.
- Find a pediatrician: rhhd.gov/connect-pc then click ‘Additional Pediatric Options’
- Find primary care: rhhd.gov/connect-pc
- Use RHHD clinic: Call 804-205-3501 during regular business hours to set up an appointment.
Cary St. City Clinic 400 E. Cary St. Richmond, VA 23219
Henrico East Clinic, 1400 N. Laburnum Ave. Richmond, VA 23223
Henrico West Clinic 8600 Dixon Powers Drive Henrico, VA 23228 - Virginia Vaccines for Children (VVFC) providers offer free immunizations to children (younger than 19 years of age) who are uninsured or underinsured; Medicaid-eligible or Medicaid-enrolled; and/or American Indian or Alaska Native. Families can search for a VVFC provider near them using rhhd.gov/vfc.
- Virginia Vaccines for Adults (VVFA) providers offer free immunizations to adults who are uninsured or underinsured. People receiving VVFA immunizations may be required to pay an admin fee, usually between $10 and $20. Adults can search for a VVFA provider near them using rhhd.gov/vfa.
With strong tools and information, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones against a dangerous disease. It takes all of us to keep our communities safe from measles!