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Virginia health officials are warning of possible measles exposures at three locations in Lorton after an infected adult visited the sites in February.
The patient, who had recently traveled internationally, is the eighth person diagnosed with measles in Virginia in 2026. Nearly all of the state’s cases this year have involved Northern Virginia residents, while one patient lives in Central Virginia. Most of the earlier cases involved children age 4 or younger.
Possible exposure locations and times include:
- Giant Food, 8941 Ox Road, from 3:30 to 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11.
- Inova-GoHealth Urgent Care at Lorton Marketplace, 9427 Lorton Market St., from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13.
- Inova HealthPlex Lorton Emergency Room, 9321 Sanger St., from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14.
Several other Virginia measles patients spent time in Washington, D.C., creating additional possible exposures earlier this year.
What potentially exposed people should do
The Virginia Department of Health is asking anyone who may have been exposed to complete its online survey. Officials will contact respondents who need to take further action.
People are generally considered protected if they have received two doses of a measles vaccine or were born before 1957. Those unsure of their vaccination history can check with a health care provider or, for Virginia residents, search an online immunization portal.
Potentially exposed people who are not fully vaccinated should contact their local health department promptly. Certain post-exposure treatments may be available if administered within a limited period.
Symptoms can develop as long as 21 days after exposure. For these incidents, illnesses could begin appearing Feb. 18 and extend into March.
Early signs include a fever above 101 degrees, cough, runny nose, watery eyes and a rash. Symptoms usually begin one to two weeks after exposure, although the characteristic rash may not appear until three to five days after the first symptoms.
Anyone who develops symptoms after a possible exposure should remain home and contact a health care provider.