In March, a total of three people in Maryland have contracted the contagious virus.
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. — Two cases of measles have now been reported in Prince George’s County, including at a school in Oxon Hill.
Maryland’s Health Department confirmed two cases Thursday, both from people who traveled abroad together.
The John Hanson Montessori School confirmed one of the cases impacted their community, and sent a letter home to parentstelling them about the confirmed case in the school. The last known exposure on the school’s campus occurred on March 12.
The Maryland Health Department said the two spent more than two weeks traveling around the DMV once returning home, before knowing they were infected.
Out of an abundance of caution, state health officials said they are coordinating to identify people who might have been exposed from March 5 to March 17th at the following locations:
- Washington Dulles International Airport: Concourse A, on transportation to the International Arrivals Building (IAB) and in the baggage claim area
- March 5, 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Kaiser Permanente Largo Medical Center, 1221 Mercantile Ln, Upper Marlboro
- March 5, 7:30 p.m. – March 6, 4:30 a.m.
- March 13, 4:15 a.m. – 10 a.m.
- March 15, 7:45 a.m. – 3: 15 p.m.
- March 17 2:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport: Terminal Shuttle Bus
- March 14, 12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- Washington Metro Area Transit: Yellow Line Train from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport station transferring at the L’Enfant Plaza station to the Silver Line Train heading towards the Downtown Largo station
- March 14, 12:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
- Passport Toyota, 5001 Auth Way, Suitland
- March 17, 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
“Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world,” said Dr. Lucia Donnatelli of the Maryland Department of Health. “That is why we put the press release out, to try and reach as many people as possible, to try to reach as many exposed people.”
Measles can pose a significant threat to children under the age of five, and cause complications for anyone who is immunocompromised. CDC stats show 75% of measles hospitalizations so far this year have been for people under the age of 19.
A third measles case in Howard County also reportedly involved someone who had traveled internationally.
Although health officials say enough people have been vaccinated in Maryland to maintain herd immunity, vaccinations are still critical if you plan on traveling.
“I cannot emphasize enough that if you are unvaccinated or undervaccinated, and you are planning a trip, with yourself or your family going overseas, it is very important to check and make sure that you are up to date on your measles vaccine,” Donnatelli said.
If you or someone you know has been to any of the places mentioned, and are showing symptoms like a high fever, rash, or a cough and runny nose, you’re strongly advised to reach out to health authorities as soon as possible.
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