Measles Discovery Raises Concerns Over Global Travel Health Risks

a hand in a blue nitrile glove holds a syrgine and a bottle of MMR vaccine

A traveler who recently returned from international travel has tested positive for measles after traveling through two major Washington DC-area airports, prompting health officials to issue warnings to anyone who may have been exposed.

Key Takeaways

A Howard County, Maryland resident has been confirmed with measles after traveling through Dulles International and Ronald Reagan Washington National airports.
Measles is highly contagious, with a 90% infection rate among unvaccinated individuals who are near an infected person.
The virus can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.
Health officials advise unvaccinated individuals who may have been exposed to monitor for symptoms until January 25, 2024.
Symptoms typically appear 7-21 days after exposure and include fever, cough, conjunctivitis, and a distinctive rash.

International Traveler Brings Measles to DC Area

DC Health and the Maryland Department of Health have confirmed a case of measles in a Howard County resident who recently returned from international travel. The infected individual traveled through Washington Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, potentially exposing others to this highly contagious disease. Health officials from Virginia, Maryland, and DC are working together to identify and contact those who may have been exposed at these locations and at Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center Pediatric Emergency Department, where the patient sought treatment.

This case marks Maryland’s first confirmed measles infection of 2024, following a single case in 2023 and none from 2020 to 2022. The sporadic nature of these cases highlights the effectiveness of vaccination programs in the United States, but also serves as a reminder that international travel continues to pose risks for bringing infectious diseases into the country. Authorities are particularly concerned because of measles’ extreme contagiousness and the potential for rapid spread among unvaccinated populations.

Understanding Measles and Its Transmission

Measles is a viral respiratory illness that primarily affects children but can infect anyone who lacks immunity. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets and can remain viable in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area. This extended period of environmental contamination makes it particularly difficult to contain once introduced into a community. The illness begins with symptoms similar to a common cold—fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes—before developing into the characteristic red rash that spreads from the face to the rest of the body.

Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst for Fox News, shared that “There is a 90% chance you will get it if you are unvaccinated and step into a room where someone with measles was two hours before.”

The incubation period for measles ranges from 7 to 21 days, with most people developing symptoms 10–14 days after exposure. A person is contagious from four days before the rash appears until four days after it emerges. This means individuals can spread the disease before they even know they’re infected, complicating containment efforts. For unvaccinated individuals, especially young children, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems, measles can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death.

Public Health Response and Recommendations

Health authorities are advising anyone who was at the identified locations during potential exposure times to monitor themselves for symptoms over the next 21 days. Those who have not been vaccinated against measles are at the highest risk and should be particularly vigilant. The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is highly effective at preventing measles, with two doses providing about 97% protection against the disease. Most Americans born after 1957 have either received the vaccine or developed natural immunity from previous infection.

Officials emphasize that anyone developing symptoms should call their healthcare provider before visiting in person, to prevent potentially exposing others in waiting rooms. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates and robust public health systems capable of quickly identifying and responding to infectious disease threats. The current situation also underscores how international travel can reintroduce diseases that have largely been eliminated in the United States, highlighting the interconnected nature of global public health.