Measles case confirmed in Prince William County

The Virginia Department of Health announced Tuesday that a Prince William County resident has measles.

The source of the measles virus in the Virginia resident has not yet been identified. It’s the first confirmed case in the state this year, though there have been five other measles diagnoses in Washington and Maryland.

Health officials say anyone who was at two exposure sites in Lake Ridge and Woodbridge last week needs to be on the lookout for symptoms. The sites include the 7-Eleven at 1445 Old Bridge Road on April 15 from 11:45 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. and the Tacketts Mill Safeway grocery store at 2205 Old Bridge Road, also on April 15, from 7:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

People who think they may have measles or may have been exposed to someone with measles should call their local emergency room or doctor's office before seeking care. Prince William Health District Health Director Alison Ansher recommended doing this even if you have been immunized.

The man who contracted measles believed he had been immunized, said Ansher.

Tuesday’s announcement comes as Virginia health officials assist in investigating several cases of measles in the metropolitan Washington region. However, there is no known link between this case of measles in an adult and the cases in the metro D.C. area.

Along with the Prince William case, the VDH also announced exposure sites in McLean, Falls Church, Fairfax Station and Washington. On Monday, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments sent out a warning about exposure sites in Arlington County, Montgomery County and Washington.

Measles is a highly contagious illness and health officials are taking precautions to prevent its spread. Initial symptoms of measles include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, which can last about a week.

The measles virus spreads through coughing, sneezing, and contact with secretions from the nose, mouth, and throat of an infected individual. The virus can live in the air for several hours after a person coughs or sneezes.

No shots can be given for someone who contracts measles; only treatment of the symptoms will work. Those who have the disease need to also stay away from public places for at least four days after the appearance of a rash.

While most people with measles will recover, 20 percent of cases experience one or more complications, especially among children under five years of age and adults over 20 years.

On Tuesday, Prince William County schools released a statement saying there have been no reported cases of measles within the school system.
Area school divisions have immunization requirements, which require that students have a minimum of two measles vaccinations as part of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine before being enrolled in school.

Safeway and 7-11 were the only known spots of exposure in the county, but there may be other sites the health department is unaware of at this time, according to Ansher.

“As you question individuals, people do remember things, so anything is possible,” Ansher said.

Staff writer Kipp Hanley can be reached at 703-878-8062.