Human Services
Measles Exposure Sites, April 2009
METRO AREA HEALTH OFFICIALS INVESTIGATING POTENTIAL MEASLES EXPOSURES ACROSS REGION
THE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO IDENTIFY PEOPLE MOST AT RISK.
UPDATE APRIL 22, 2009 — Metro Washington area health officials are mounting a coordinated campaign to identify people who may have been exposed to new measles activity in the region. Potential public exposure sites are in Arlington County, Va.; Prince William County, VA; Fairfax County, VA; Montgomery County, Md.; and the District of Columbia.
Special call-in numbers have been established by the affected jurisdictions.
- Calls related to Arlington County, Prince William County and Fairfax County exposure sites: (800) 533-4148
- Calls related to Montgomery County exposure sites: (240) 777-4200
- Calls related to D.C. exposure sites: 311 for D.C. residents; (202) 737-4404 outside D.C.
Although most people are immune to measles because of longstanding vaccination requirements, a number of people in the region are not, especially children under 12 months of age. Because diseases do not respect borders and people in the Washington metro area often travel through several jurisdictions multiple times a day, a single case of measles in the area has the potential to become a region-wide concern.
| Measles: For fact sheets and additional resources, click here>> |
Measles is a highly contagious illness that is spread through coughing, sneezing, and contact with secretions from the nose, mouth, and throat of an infected individual. The measles virus can live in the air for several hours after a person coughs or sneezes. Initial symptoms of measles include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, which can last about a week. While most people with measles will recover, 20 percent of cases experience one or more complications, especially children under 5 years of age and adults over 20 years. Those who suspect they have measles should stay home to prevent the spread of the disease and call their health care provider.
If you think you may have the measles, you should not show up at the hospital emergency room or doctors’ offices without calling first so health care workers can prepare the proper infection control measures before your arrival. You should limit your exposure to others.
As with preventing the spread of any contagious infection, you should also wash your hands frequently and thoroughly and always cover your cough.
Fortunately, measles vaccine can safely and effectively prevent this disease. And while most people are immune because of national, state and local vaccination requirements, sporadic cases can happen when unvaccinated people visit other countries where measles still exists in the population.
These recent cases of measles and the exposure of others in the region indicates why it’s important to make sure you and your family are protected against measles. Have your health care provider review your immunizations and get vaccinated against the measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases as appropriate. Measles vaccine is available through your primary care physician and your local health department.
Listed below are the dates, times and locations of the potential exposure sites associated with the most recent cases of measles:
| Virginia Exposure Sites | |||
| Date | Area | Location | Time |
| SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2009 | Arlington | Saigon Saigon Restaurant (Pentagon Row) 1101 S. Joyce Street | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm |
| SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2009 | Arlington | Harris Teeter (Pentagon Row) 900 Army Navy Drive | 9:00 pm – 11:30 pm |
| FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2009 | Fairfax | Harris Teeter 8200 Crestwood Heights Dr. | 9:45 pm - 12:00 am |
| SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2009 | Fairfax | Harris Teeter 8200 Crestwood Heights Dr. | 12:00 am - 8:15 am |
| SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2009 | Fairfax | Harris Teeter 8200 Crestwood Heights Dr. | 9:45 am - 6:15 pm |
| MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2009 | Fairfax | Harris Teeter 8200 Crestwood Heights Dr. | 9:45 pm - 12:00 am |
| TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2009 | Fairfax | Harris Teeter 8200 Crestwood Heights Dr. | 12:00 am - 6:15 am |
| SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2009 | Fairfax | IHOP 6655 Arlington Blvd. | 4:15 am - 8:15 am |
| TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2009 | Fairfax | CVS 9009 Silverbrook Road | 4:45 pm - 8:15 pm |
| WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2009 | Prince William | 7-Eleven 1445 Old Bridge Road | 11:45 am - 7:15 pm |
| WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2009 | Prince William | Safeway 2205 Old Bridge Road | 7:45 am - 2:15 pm |
| SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2009 | Prince William | Neighborhood 3, Potomac Mills Mall (entrance closest to Against All Odds store) | 12:45 pm - 3:30 pm |
| If you were at any of these locations on these dates and during the specified time, you may have been exposed to measles. Please call the Virginia Disease Prevention Hotline: 1-800-533-4148 People who were at these locations on any other date or at any other time do not need to call. | |||
| Maryland Exposure Sites | |||
| Date | Area | Location | Time |
| SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009 | Bethesda | Used Book Fair – Stone Ridge School 9101 Rockville Pike | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm |
| SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009 | Rockville | Vegetable Garden Restaurant 11618 Rockville Pike | 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm |
| SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009 | Rockville | Jiffy Lube 5535 Nicholson Lane | 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm |
| If you were at any of these locations on these dates and during the specified time, you may have been exposed to measles. Please call the Montgomery County Health Department: 240-777-4200 People who were at these locations on any other date or at any other time do not need to call. | |||
| Washington DC Exposure Sites | |||
| Date | Area | Location | Time |
| SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009 | Southwest DC | Pot Belly Restaurant (Near Federal Center Metro) 409 3rd Street, SW | 3:30 pm – 7:00 pm |
| WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2009 | Southwest DC | Safeway Grocery Store 401 M Street, SW | 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm |
| FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2009 | Southwest DC | Safeway Grocery Store 401 M Street, SW | 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm |
| SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2009 | Northwest DC | Ultra Bar 911 F Street, NW | 11:45 pm - 5:00 am |
| If you were at any of these locations on these dates and during the specified time, you may have been exposed to measles. Please call the DC Department of Health: in DC call 311; outside, call 202-737-4404 People who were at these locations on any other date or at any other time do not need to call. | |||
