Measles exposure possible in D.C. and Arlington, officials say

Although officials in the two jurisdictions did not immediately say that the same person was involved in both cases, the timing of the visits and their proximity suggest that possibility.

Arlington’s health department said it was acting “out of an abundance of caution” in notifying people who were at the site in Arlington that they may have been exposed.

The department identified the site as the Harris Teeter store at 624B N. Glebe Rd. It gave the date and time of the possible exposure as Monday, July 1, between noon and 4 p.m.

District health officials gave the sites and times of possible exposure as follows:

• CVS Pharmacy: 2226 Wisconsin Ave. NW, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2.
• LabCorp: 2233 Wisconsin Ave. NW, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2.

The Arlington and D.C. sites are within half a dozen miles of each other.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes, the two localities’ health departments said.

They said symptoms show up in two stages. The first usually starts seven to 10 days after exposure and is associated with a fever of above 101 degrees along with runny nose; red, watery eyes; and a cough.

In the second stage, three to five days after the start of symptoms, a rash begins on the face and spreads.

Contagiousness begins four days before the rash starts and ends four days after.

People who have not been vaccinated may be at risk. Anyone who was exposed and who may be at risk should watch for symptoms until July 22, according to Arlington, and until July 23, according to the District.

If symptoms are noticed, people should call their health-care provider immediately and isolate themselves.

They should call before going to a treatment site to allow for precautions, officials said.