WASHINGTON — Maryland health officials have confirmed a case of measles in a person who spent time around the D.C. area in the past week.
Montgomery County’s Department of Health said Thursday that the person contracted the disease outside the United States, but only developed symptoms after returning. The person, who is not being identified, was diagnosed with measles Wednesday, and is undergoing medical care for the highly-contagious disease.
The patient arrived at Dulles International Airport May 15 and spent time at the international arrivals and baggage claim area from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., according to information the Montgomery County’s Department of Health released Thursday.
The person visited the Nordstrom Rack in Gaithersburg, Maryland, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on May 17. The next day, they spent time at the Circuit Court of Maryland in Rockville, Maryland, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The person was in Hearing Room 2K on the second floor of the south tower.
Health officials are advising people who may have visited any of the locations to monitor for potential symptoms such as fever, runny nose, water eyes or a cough, followed by a rash. If you think you’ve been exposed, contact your local health department before vising the doctor, health officials said.
While most people in the United States are vaccinated against measles, exposure poses potential risk to those who have not been vaccinated.
