CHARLOTTESVILLE — The second confirmed case of measles has been reported in Virginia, this time in Charlottesville.
There have been 1,046 confirmed cases and three confirmed deaths in the U.S. so far this year as outbreaks continue to crop up across the country, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The highly contagious, sometimes-fatal viral infection primarily affects unvaccinated children and nonimmunized adults. It was declared eradicated in the U.S. 25 years ago but came back at the start of 2025, beginning in Texas and moving largely through unvaccinated communities.
The child in the Charlottesville case is between 13 and 17 years, according to the Virginia Department of Health, and had recently traveled internationally. The Health Department did not say if the child was vaccinated.
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“To protect the family’s privacy, VDH will not provide any additional information about the patient,” the agency said in a statement issued Friday. “Health officials are coordinating efforts to identify anyone who might have been exposed.”
The times and places where people might have been exposed include:
- Charlottesville Albemarle Airport, at 100 Bowen Loop, between 2:15 and 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
- Play It Again Sports, at 1885 Seminole Trail, between 2:40 and 5 p.m. Tuesday.
- The Goodwill Store and Donation Center, at 440 Gander Drive, between 3:10 and 5:30 p.m.
- University of Virginia Health System’s Primary Care Riverside location, at 2335 Seminole Lane, between 2 and 7:10 p.m. Thursday.
- UVa Medical Center, at 1215 Lee St., between 12 and 6 a.m. Friday.
People who were at those places at those times who were never vaccinated are at risk of catching measles and should contact their health care provider immediately, according to the agency.
Virginia residents with additional questions about their potential exposure can email epi_response@vdh.virginia.gov or contact their local health department.
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Symptoms can develop in the first three weeks following exposure.
Health officials say people should immediately isolate themselves at home if any measles symptoms develop.
If infected individuals need care, the Health Department asks they tell their doctor’s office, clinic or hospital that they’ve been exposed before going, so those places can take measures to protect other patients.
Measles symptoms include a fever of more than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery and red eyes as well as a cough that starts between seven and 14 days after exposure. Then, three to five days after this, a rash appears on the face and then spreads.
Vaccination remains the best defense against infection. Even U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has downplayed the measles outbreak and promoted conspiracy theories about the effectiveness of vaccines, has said that he would “probably” vaccinate his child if he had one today.
People who have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, are protected and do not need to take any action, the Virginia Department of Health said.
People who have received only one dose of a measles-containing vaccine are very likely to be protected, but to get the most protection they could get a second dose, the agency said.
Virginia reported its first confirmed case of measles this year back in April. The infected child lives in Northern Virginia and was no more than 4 years old at the time of infection.
The first reported case in the U.S. came in January in Houston. And while there have been 14 outbreaks in states across the country, Texas remains a measles hot bed.
“Measles is preventable,” the Virginia Department of Health said in its Friday statement, urging the state’s residents to vaccinate themselves, monitor their exposure and report suspected cases.