Health officials investigate possible measles exposure in Northern Virginia



[ad_1]

Virginia health officials are investigating potential measles exposures that occurred earlier this month.

Virginia health officials are investigating potential measles exposures that occurred earlier this month.

People who were in various locations in Northern Virginia during the next specified time period may have been exposed to one to three people diagnosed with measles.

The individuals recently traveled from Afghanistan as part of the United States emergency evacuation efforts. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said four Afghans who arrived had tested positive for measles.

Dulles International Airport

  • 3-4 Sep 6:30 p.m. to midnight and 9:30 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. at the International Arrivals Building / US Customs Hall and at the Main Terminal Ticket Level.
  • September 8 4:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the International Arrivals Building / US Customs Hall and at the Main Terminal Ticket Level.

StoneSprings Hospital Emergency Department, including the waiting area

  • Sep 6 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • September 8 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Inova LJ Murphy Children’s Hospital, Floors 1-9

  • 3 p.m. Sept. 7 to Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m.

Dulles Exhibition Center

Crowne Plaza Dulles Airport

Health officials are coordinating efforts to reach people who may have been exposed, and they believe that outside of the listed locations the risk to the community is low, a press release from the ministry’s northern region said on Friday. of Virginia Health.

Measles is a highly contagious disease and is spread by coughing, sneezing, and contact with droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of an infected person.

Symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people have a fever over 101 degrees, a runny nose, red, watery eyes, and a cough. The second stage begins around the third to seventh day, when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads all over the body.

If you have been in any of the above locations for the period specified and received two doses of the measles vaccine, you do not need to take any action.

If you have only received one dose, the health service has said that you are “very likely protected” and that your risk of exposure is very low. Nonetheless, contact your health care provider for a second dose to achieve full immunity.

If you have not been vaccinated against measles at all or if you have not had a documented case of measles, you may be at risk for exposure. Call your health care provider for advice. If you have symptoms, stay home and call your doctor for further care. Call ahead before going to your doctor or hospital and tell them that you have been exposed to measles.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people get the MMR vaccine to protect themselves against measles, mumps, and rubella.

Before the measles vaccination program began in 1963, an estimated 3-4 million people contracted measles each year in the United States. the vaccine era, the CDC said.

Measles is very common in many parts of the world, including popular tourist destinations.

Contact your Virginia health district if you have further questions. Those in Fairfax County can call the health district at 703-246-2411. The Loudoun County Health District can be contacted at [email protected].

Like WTOP on Facebook and follow @WTOP on Twitter to start a conversation about this and other articles.

Get the latest news and daily headlines delivered to your inbox by signing up here.

© 2021 OMCP. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located in the European Economic Area.



[ad_2]

Source link