Measles Exposure Alert Issued Following Potential Spread at March for Life and in Washington, D.C.
Health officials are investigating potential measles exposures linked to the recent National March for Life rally and concert held in Washington, D.C., as well as several public locations throughout the city. The DC Department of Health is working to identify individuals who may be at risk following confirmed cases of measles among people who visited these sites while contagious.
The potential exposure sites, spanning from to , include major transportation hubs such as Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Union Station, Amtrak’s Northeast Regional train line, and the D.C. Subway system. Individuals who visited the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and Catholic University during this period may also have been exposed.
Children’s National Hospital has also issued a public health notice regarding potential exposure within its Emergency Department. A Virginia resident confirmed to have measles visited the department on while contagious.
Rising Measles Cases Nationally
This alert comes amid a concerning rise in measles cases across the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 733 confirmed cases in 20 states as of . The CDC notes that 95% of these cases involve individuals who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.
A significant outbreak is currently underway in South Carolina, which began in and quickly surpassed an outbreak in Texas. As of , the South Carolina Department of Public Health reported 44 new confirmed cases, bringing the state’s total to 920. Recent exposures have been identified at a Target store in Taylors, S.C., and a Social Security Administration office in Spartanburg, S.C., with the outbreak largely centered in Spartanburg.
Understanding Measles and Protecting Yourself
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that can spread easily through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms typically begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that spreads over the body. Complications can include pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and even death.
The most effective way to protect against measles is vaccination. The CDC recommends that children receive two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, with the first dose administered between of age and the second dose between of age. Adults who have not been vaccinated or who are unsure of their vaccination status should also consult with their healthcare provider.
DC Health advises anyone who may have been exposed and is not fully vaccinated, or who has a weakened immune system, to contact the health department or their healthcare provider. Early consultation is crucial for assessing risk and determining appropriate next steps.
Global Concerns and U.S. Elimination Status
The increasing number of measles cases in the U.S. Is raising concerns among global health officials. The World Health Organization’s Pan American Health Organization has invited the U.S. To a meeting in to review the country’s measles elimination status. The U.S. Is at risk of losing its designation as a country that has eliminated the disease.
The situation is further complicated by recent changes in U.S. Policy regarding vaccine recommendations and international health organizations. While the Trump administration has altered recommendations for some childhood immunizations, guidance regarding measles vaccinations remains unchanged. The U.S. Formally withdrew from the World Health Organization last month.
