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A confirmed measles case has prompted health officials to warn of possible exposure at five locations across western Fairfax County, including businesses in Reston and Herndon.
The Virginia Department of Health said an adult with measles visited the locations in late January. Officials have not released identifying details about the person, citing privacy concerns.
The potential exposure locations and times are:
- The Ian apartments, 2249 Woodland Grove Place in Herndon, at any time from Friday, Jan. 23, through Saturday, Jan. 31
- Kumo Sushi, 2338 Woodland Crossing Drive in Herndon, from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24
- Target, 12197 Sunset Hills Road in Reston, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25
- Harris Teeter, 12960 Highland Crossing Drive in Herndon, from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25
- Fairfax County Animal Shelter’s West Ox campus, 4500 West Ox Road in Fairfax, from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31
Reasa Currier, director of the Fairfax County Department of Animal Services, said the shelter is working with the Fairfax County Health Department to identify employees and visitors who may have been exposed and give them appropriate public-health guidance.
“The only times of concern are the exposure times listed in the health department press release,” Currier said. She added that measles poses no risk to animals, so owners do not need to take action on their behalf.
The infection is Virginia’s fifth measles case of the year and the fourth reported in the state’s northern region. Earlier potential exposures were reported at Fort Belvoir’s medical center, Inova Fairfax Hospital and Dulles International Airport. Virginia recorded five measles cases during all of 2025.
Cases have risen sharply across the Americas, primarily among people who are not vaccinated. As of Tuesday, Feb. 3, an outbreak in South Carolina had reached 876 cases. It surpassed an outbreak that began in Texas last year, becoming the nation’s largest since measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000.
Health officials say the country is now at risk of losing that elimination status.
People can report potential measles exposure to the Fairfax County Health Department through its online survey. Those current on their measles vaccinations do not need post-exposure treatment, according to state health officials. Anyone who is not fully vaccinated should contact a health care provider or local health department.
Symptoms can include fever, a runny nose, cough, watery red eyes and a red, blotchy rash. They typically develop within 21 days of exposure, meaning anyone infected in connection with the newly reported case would most likely show symptoms by Feb. 21.
Anyone who develops symptoms should remain home and immediately contact a health care provider. Patients who need in-person care should call before visiting a doctor’s office or emergency room so staff can prepare and help prevent exposure to others.
Measles spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Initial symptoms generally begin seven to 14 days after exposure. A rash commonly appears on the face three to five days later before spreading across the body.
An infected person can transmit measles from four days before the rash appears through four days afterward.
Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide lifetime protection against measles. Approximately 95% of Virginia kindergarten students are fully vaccinated, but infants too young to receive routine vaccination and other unvaccinated people remain at high risk after exposure.
Infants ages 6 through 11 months who will travel internationally or visit an outbreak area should receive one MMR dose before traveling, health officials said.