WASHINGTON (7News) — 7News has learned about a second measles exposure at Dulles International Airport this year.
The international traveler arrived on June 8 and then took the Metro into D.C. It happened as thousands of people were in the city for World Pride and the lead up to the Army Parade.
“These are lifelong consequences from a vaccine-preventable disease, so yeah, I’m very concerned,” said Dr Elizabeth Choma, pediatric nurse practitioner and assistant professor at GW’s School of Nursing. “The risk of getting the measles is incredibly high and all the diseases that go with it.”
HEALTH | DC health officials issue alert after measles exposure at Dulles airport, metro stations
One of the locations for possible exposure was the MedStar Pediatrics Clinic in Tenleytown off Wisconsin Avenue.
Dr. Choma said you should feel confident if you and your children have had a vaccine.
If they are younger than 6 months and not eligible for one, she said you can get immunoglobulin, which will give your child some antibodies against the disease.
Dr. Choma said you should still give that infant an MMR vaccine, but you have to wait six months to do so.
“Measles is really hard to deal with after the fact,” she said. “It is one of the most transmissible diseases I can think of but the first and second dose when you give it is 96% effective.”
If you are exposed to the measles, you also have 72 hours to get a vaccine but after that, you have to quarantine for three weeks.
“There’s a lot of different illnesses that are associated with measles that are very deadly and very dangerous especially for kids,” Dr. Choma said.
MedStar Health said it is working with the D.C. Department of Health on the matter.
“We have been reaching out to the patients, visitors, and associates who may have been exposed to the virus at our pediatric clinic location in Tenleytown. The person involved and their family were masked when visiting our facility. Those with questions about possible exposures and immunity are encouraged to contact DC Health at 844-493-2652 for guidance.
Please reach out to DC Health Communications and Community Relations for all additional media inquiries regarding this matter.”
