A young child with measles landed in a Pennsylvania airport and traveled through Maryland, D.C. and Virginia last week. Health officials are issuing a warning about certain spots where people may have been exposed to the virus.
The patient, described by Virginia health officials as a “preschool-age child,” had recently traveled internationally before flying into Philadelphia International Airport and making stops throughout the D.C. area.
The potential exposures happened last week from Jan. 7 to 9, according to officials with the health departments in Virginia, D.C., Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Health officials said anyone who may have been near the following public areas may have been exposed:
Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia International Airport, Terminal A East from 7:50 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Jan. 7.
- William H Gray III, 30th Street Station from 8:15 p.m. to 11:25 p.m. on Jan. 7.
- Amtrak Northeast Regional Train Southbound 175 from 9:23 p.m. on Jan. 7
DC
- Amtrak Northeast Regional train from Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station to D.C.’s Union Station from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 7.
Maryland
- Amtrak’s BWI Marshall Airport shuttle bus to and from the BWI Marshall train station and the drop-off points outside of the lower level of the airport from 10:45 p.m. on Jan. 7 to 1:30 a.m. on Jan. 8.
- BWI Marshall Airport parking shuttle bus to and from the lower levels outside of the BWI Marshall Airport and the airport’s long-term parking lots from 11 p.m. on Jan. 7 to 2 a.m. on Jan. 8.
Virginia
- Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center Emergency Department and Executive Medicine Suite from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 9
- Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center Emergency Department and Executive Medicine Suite from 10 p.m. on Jan. 9 to midnight on Jan. 10.
The Amtrak train the child traveled on is believed to have made stops between Boston, Massachusetts, and D.C.’s Union Station on Jan. 7, according to the health officials in Philadelphia and Maryland.
The Maryland Department of Health said there were no exposures identified inside the terminals of the BWI Marshall Airport.
The Virginia Department of Health said the incident marks the state’s second measles of the year. Maryland hasn’t had any cases of measles in 2026, according to the health department.
What to do if you’ve been exposed
If you think you’ve been exposed, Maryland health officials said to find out if you’ve been vaccinated for measles or have had the virus before. If you’ve had two doses of a measles vaccine, or were born before 1957, you are generally considered protected.
If you’re not sure if you’ve been immunized, check your status by calling your health care provider. In Maryland, you can request records online through the My Immunization Record and Virginia offers a similar record request portal.
Now, if you’re not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles and you might have been exposed, contact your health care provider or your local health department to discuss the best next steps.
Health officials said exposed individuals need to monitor for any early signs of measles for 21 days after the initial potential exposure. Symptoms can range from runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes, and a fever exceeding 101 degrees.
If symptoms develop, the health agencies stress individuals must stay home, and to avoid public spaces. Individuals should contact a health care facility before arriving to any care centers.
WTOP’s Gaby Arancibia and Jessica Kronzer contributed to this report.
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