Maryland resident confirmed to have measles after international travel

A positive case of measles was reported in a Maryland resident who recently traveled internationally, the Maryland Department of Health confirmed on Sunday.

The state's Department of Health said the resident lives in Howard County, but the case is not associated with the measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico. 

The state is working on locating people who may have been exposed, which includes travelers at Dulles Airport in Terminal A on the transportation to the main terminal and in the baggage claim area between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. on March 5.

Measles symptoms typically develop 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus but can develop as soon as seven days and as long as 21 days after exposure.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been three measles outbreaks, defined as three or more related cases, in the United States in 2025.

"It is one of the most infectious diseases that we have," said Dr. Lucia Donatelli, Center for Immunization, Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Outbreak Response Bureau for the Maryland Department of Health. "So, there's a 90% secondary attack rate, we're not fully immunized against measles, there is a 90% chance that if you're exposed that you will contract, measles, so that's why it's so important for everybody to be vaccinated against measles."

People are generally immune to measles if they've had the two vaccine shots, previously had the virus, or were born in the United States before 1957.

"One dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective in preventing measles. Two doses is 97% effective," Donatelli added.

If you think you've been exposed, you're encouraged to call your primary care physician before heading to the doctor's office or emergency room.

"They need to call ahead and let them know this is what they are coming for evaluation for possible measles," Donatelli said.

Parents in Howard County said they are monitoring the spread. The families WJZ spoke with said they are vaccinated, so they aren't too worried about spreading it or getting sick.

"I got my kids vaccinated with the measles shot when they were young and when they were able to, so I know they are protected," said Columbia resident Nicole Bennett. "I do know some families who do not have their kids vaccinated, and it does worry me a little bit, so if they could, that would be a good idea."

The state said the spread of measles in Maryland is rare because the state has a high vaccination rate among school-aged children and kindergarteners. 

"In a post-COVID world, just making sure kids are up to date with vaccinations, washing their hands a lot, and just being safe in general with good hygiene," said parent Daniel Medina, who has two children under the age of five.

Anyone who visited the following locations during any of the following hours may have been exposed:

• Washington Dulles International Airport: Terminal A, on transportation to the main terminal, and in the baggage claim area, between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. on March 5.
• Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center Pediatric Emergency Department, between 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on March 7.

Measles symptoms

Early symptoms of measles are a fever of more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit, runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes. Usually, one to four days after the early symptoms, a red rash appears on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. 

 A person with measles is contagious beginning four days before the rash appears until four days after the rash begins. 

People who are the most at risk of complications from measles infection are pregnant women, infants less than 1-year-old, and those who are immune-compromised, according to the Maryland State Health Department.

People in these at-risk groups concerned about potential exposure and who are not immune should contact their health care provider or call Howard County Health Department's Infectious Disease Surveillance and Response Program at 410-313-6284 for additional guidance. 

According to health department officials, "Measles cases do occur sporadically in Maryland." 

The most recent cases are one case of measles identified in Maryland in 2024, one in 2023, and no cases from 2020-2022.

Measles outbreak 

Since late January 2025, more than 190 people have been infected with measles in West Texas, CBS News reported. Officials said the Texas outbreak is mostly impacting children and teens, with many of them being unvaccinated. 

Measles cases have also been reported in New Mexico, New Jersey, Georgia, California, Rhode Island, Kentucky and Alaska. 

In February, an unvaccinated, school-aged child died from the measles after being hospitalized in Texas.