Measles Case Confirmed In Montgomery County, Officials Issue Warning

ROCKVILLE, MD — Health officials are warning residents after a case of measles was confirmed in Montgomery County.

According to a county news release, anyone who visited the Cabin John Ice Rink in Bethesda on May 24 between the hours of 6 and 9 p.m. and an office building located at 16220 Frederick Rd. in Gaithersburg on Tuesday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. may have been exposed to the virus.

“People, especially those who are not vaccinated against measles, who were at either of these locations during the possible exposure times should monitor themselves for any early symptoms of measles, especially fever,” health officials said in the release.

Measles is a contagious viral infection that easily spreads to unvaccinated people through coughing, sneezing, and secretions from the mouth, according to health officials. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours.

Five confirmed cases of measles were reported in Maryland in 2019, according to officials. No cases have been reported since then.

Health officials did not release any information about the infected person.

Measles symptoms typically develop 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus but can develop as soon as seven days or as long as 21 days. Early symptoms of measles include fever, runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes.

Typically, about one to four days after the onset of early symptoms, a red rash appears on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. A person with measles is contagious starting four days before the rash appears until four days after the rash begins.

People are considered immune to measles if they were fully vaccinated, born in the United States before 1957 or previously had measles.

Anyone who may have been exposed or who might have measles should call their doctor’s office for instructions prior to making an appointment. Those who may have been exposed can also call Montgomery County Health and Human Services’ Disease Control Office at 240-777-1755.