The Year's First Case of Measles Confirmed in Virginia
VDH providing guidance for those who have symptoms or are at high risk
RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has reported the state’s first confirmed measles case of the year.
According to an April 19, 2025 statement from VDH spokesperson Brookie Crawford, the patient is a child who recently traveled internationally. The family resides in the northwest portion of Virginia. To protect their privacy, the VDH will not provide any additional information about the patient.
Officials are coordinating efforts to identify anyone who might have been exposed. Dates, times, and locations of potential exposure sites in Virginia are below:
Kaiser Permanente Caton Hill Medical Center, Advanced Urgent Care, located at 13285 Minnieville Road in Woodbridge on Tuesday, April 15 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Kaiser Permanente Fredericksburg Medical Center, Pediatrics Department, located at 1201 Hospital Drive in Fredericksburg on Wednesday, April 16 from noon to 5 p.m.
“This first case of measles in Virginia this year is a reminder of how easily this highly contagious disease can spread,” said VDH State Epidemiologist Laurie Forlano, D.O., M.P.H.
Measles symptoms include fever and a rash that starts on the face at the hairline and spreads to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet. A cough, runny nose, or red, itchy eyes might also be present. Symptoms usually begin 7–14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure.
According to the VDH media statement, those who think they may have been exposed to measles should do the following:
Watch for symptoms for 21 days after the date of potential exposure. If you notice symptoms, immediately isolate yourself by staying home.
If you need to seek healthcare, call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the local health department. This call will help protect other patients and staff.
If you have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, you are protected and do not need to take any action.
Anyone who might have been exposed and is considered to be at risk of developing measles should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
“Vaccination remains our best defense against measles and is safe and highly effective at protecting people and preventing outbreaks,” said Forlano. “We urge Virginians, especially those planning to travel, to check their vaccination status, talk to their health care provider, and get the MMR [measles, mumps, and rubella] vaccine if needed.”
To check immunization status, Virginia residents are urged to check with their healthcare provider or request vaccination records using the VDH Immunization Record Request Form.
Residents with additional questions about their potential exposure can email epi_response@vdh.virginia.gov or contact their nearest health department.
For more information about measles visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/