Multiple U.S. States Report Measles Cases and Exposure Alerts Amid Rising National Count

Health officials across several U.S. states have reported multiple confirmed measles cases in recent weeks, many linked to international or interstate travel, leading to the issuance of public health alerts for various potential exposure locations. The confirmed cases span states including Virginia, California, Washington, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Hawaii, contributing to a national total that marks a significant increase since measles elimination was declared in the U.S. in 2000.

National Overview and Context

As of January 30, 2026, the United States recorded 588 confirmed measles cases, identified as the highest number for January since 2000. A majority of these cases have been connected to ongoing measles outbreaks in states such as South Carolina, Arizona, and Utah. On February 3, South Carolina specifically reported 875 related cases.

International health authorities have indicated that these outbreaks pose a risk to the country's measles-free designation. Research published in Nature Health last month indicated an elevated risk of measles transmission across portions of the U.S. due to declining vaccination rates.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness transmitted through airborne droplets from an infected person's breathing, coughing, or sneezing, or through direct contact with infectious droplets. The virus can remain airborne for up to two hours after an infected person has left a room.

Symptoms typically appear 7 to 21 days after exposure and include a fever often exceeding 101 degrees Fahrenheit, runny nose, cough, and red or watery eyes, followed by a rash that begins on the face and spreads to the body. Individuals with measles are contagious from four days before the rash appears until four days after its appearance.

Confirmed Cases and Exposure Sites by Region

Health departments have identified numerous potential exposure locations across the affected states, spanning multiple regions and types of venues.

Virginia has reported a rising number of measles cases in 2026, reaching a total of 10 cases by mid-February. Early cases involved preschool-aged children, while later cases included adults. Many confirmed patients resided in Northern Virginia, with one case reported in Central Virginia, and several individuals from previous cases also spent time in Washington D.C.

An individual traveled through Northern Virginia while infectious.

• Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center Emergency Department and Executive Medicine Suite in Fort Belvoir: A Friday in January, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight.

A young child from Northern Virginia, with recent international travel, was confirmed with measles. This case was later reported as the state's third case of the year and unrelated to an earlier case.

• PM Pediatric Urgent Care in Woodbridge: January 13, 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Inova Children’s Emergency Department in Falls Church: January 15, 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and January 16, 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Inova Fairfax Hospital Women’s and Children’s Building in Falls Church: January 17, 2:30 a.m. to January 18, 5 p.m.

An adult in Northern Virginia, with recent international travel, was identified with measles, making it the state's fifth case.

• The Ian Apartment Complex in Herndon: January 23 - January 31.
• Kumo Sushi in Herndon: January 24, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
• Target in Reston: January 25, 11 a.m. - 2 p.p.
• Harris Teeter in Herndon: January 25, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
• Fairfax County Animal Shelter — West Ox Campus in Fairfax: January 31, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

A preschool-aged child, a resident of another state, traveled through Virginia. This was associated with Virginia's sixth case.

• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Terminal 2 in Arlington: January 26, 12:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Washington Area Metro, Yellow Line (from Reagan National Airport station, transferring at Gallery Place – Chinatown to the Red Line towards Glenmont station): January 26, 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Heathcote Health Center in Haymarket: January 29, 1:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

An adult in Northern Virginia, who had recently traveled internationally, was confirmed with measles (part of eight cases confirmed by this time).

• Giant Food in Lorton: February 11, 3:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
• Inova-GoHealth Urgent Care, Lorton Marketplace in Lorton: February 13, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Inova HealthPlex Lorton Emergency Room in Lorton: February 14, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Virginia Department of Health investigated two additional adult cases in Northern Virginia, bringing the total to 10 for the year. These individuals had recently traveled domestically.

• Harris Teeter in Manassas: February 13, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Walmart in Manassas: February 13, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Marco’s Pizza in Manassas: February 13, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Bull Run Unitarian Universalists in Manassas: February 14, 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Best Buy Outlet in Manassas: February 14, 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Mountaintop Church in Manassas: February 14, 4:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., and February 15, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Lidl in Manassas: February 15, 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Target in Manassas: February 15, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Medical center in Gainesville: February 16, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Office building in Alexandria: February 17, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A confirmed measles case was reported in an individual, a resident of another state, who recently traveled internationally and through Southwest Virginia.

• Centra Lynchburg General Hospital Emergency Department in Lynchburg: March 2, 10:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Orange and Los Angeles counties have each confirmed multiple measles cases, many involving international travelers.

The Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) confirmed a measles case in a young adult who had traveled internationally.

• Gym in Ladera Ranch: January 23.
• Urgent care facility (location unspecified): January 26.

An infectious visitor attended Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. This was the third reported case in Orange County this year.

• Disneyland Park: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Disney California Adventure Park: 3 p.m. to closing.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed its third measles case, involving an international traveler.

• Mardi Gras Tuesday restaurant on Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Another Los Angeles County case involved an international traveler who arrived at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and visited Disneyland and a fast-food establishment in the San Fernando Valley while infectious. No specific exposure times for these locations were provided.

Orange County confirmed its second measles case of the year, involving an international traveler who arrived at LAX before visiting Disneyland.

• Goofy's Kitchen in the Disneyland Hotel: 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park: 12:30 p.m. until park closure.

Washington State has reported 28 measles cases among its residents in 2026. Snohomish County reported six cases, an increase of three, since declaring an outbreak two weeks prior to February 12, 2026.

A traveler with measles was present at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac).

• A Concourse near Gate A12.
• International Arrivals Hall at baggage claim 22.
• Lower level of baggage claim at the south end of the main terminal.

A Canadian resident with measles traveled through Sea-Tac. The individual's vaccination status was unknown, and they had left King County prior to diagnosis.

Maryland health officials issued alerts following confirmed measles cases.

An individual traveled through Maryland while infectious.

• Amtrak Northeast Regional train from Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station to D.C.’s Union Station: January 7, 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Amtrak’s BWI Marshall Airport shuttle bus between BWI Marshall train station and airport lower-level drop-off points: January 7, 10:45 p.m. to January 8, 1:30 a.m.
• BWI Marshall Airport parking shuttle bus between airport lower levels and long-term parking lots: January 7, 11 p.m. to January 8, 2 a.m.

A Virginia resident with measles was present in a downtown Bethesda office building.

• Office building at 7200 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Pennsylvania health officials issued warnings for potential measles exposure in Montgomery County and Philadelphia.

An individual who tested positive for measles traveled through Montgomery County.

• Patient First Primary and Urgent Care on the 1400 block of South Collegeville Road in Collegeville: 1:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

A person diagnosed with measles was present at Philadelphia International Airport.

• Terminal E: 1:35 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Hawaii health officials confirmed a measles case in an adult visitor on Oahu who had arrived from a U.S. region with known measles transmission. The individual was vaccinated and sought medical care on Oahu.

• February 26: Daniel K. Inouye International Airport ("A" gates and baggage claim), Oahu: 12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
• February 27: Laie Mormon Temple, Oahu: 4:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
• February 28: Hilo International Airport (Gate areas, baggage claim), Hawaii Island: 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
• February 28: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Visitors Center and other attractions), Hawaii Island: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
• February 28: Hilo Siam Thai restaurant, Hawaii Island: 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
• March 1: Hilo International Airport (Check-in, security, gate areas), Hawaii Island: 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Public Health Recommendations

Health officials across the affected regions have issued similar guidance for individuals who may have been exposed:

• Verify Immunity Status: Individuals should verify their measles vaccination (MMR) status or history of having had measles. Two doses of the MMR vaccine or being born before 1957 generally indicate protection. Immunity records can be requested through state health department portals or healthcare providers.
• Contact Healthcare Provider: If not fully vaccinated or immune and potentially exposed, contact a healthcare provider or local health department promptly. Post-exposure treatments, such as vaccine or immune globulin, may be available, particularly for infants under 12 months, pregnant individuals without immunity, and those with weakened immune systems, if received soon after exposure and within a limited timeframe.
• Monitor for Symptoms: Watch for measles symptoms for 21 days following potential exposure, as this is the typical incubation period.
• Isolate if Symptomatic: If symptoms develop, individuals are advised to stay home and limit interactions. Before visiting a healthcare facility or emergency room, call ahead to notify staff of potential measles exposure to prevent further transmission.
• Report Exposure: Some health departments offer online surveys to report potential exposure, enabling officials to provide further guidance.

Vaccination remains the primary method for preventing measles. Health officials emphasize that infants who are too young for routine MMR vaccination (typically under 12 months) and other unvaccinated individuals face the highest risk. Infants aged 6 to 11 months are advised to receive a vaccine dose before international travel or travel to areas experiencing an outbreak.