The Alexandria Health Department notified residents Friday about a measles exposure traced to Northern Virginia after the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) confirmed an out-of-state traveler with measles who passed through the region while infectious on Sunday, Aug. 16.
Where and when the exposure occurred
VDH and local health officials are working to identify and notify people who may have been exposed during the visitor’s time in the area. The department listed four locations in Reston and specific time information for one business where exposure may have occurred:
- Sheraton Reston Hotel, 11810 Sunrise Valley Drive — Sunday, Aug. 16
- MOTW Coffee and Pastries, 11830 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 200 — Sunday, Aug. 16
- 7-Eleven, 11854 Sunrise Valley Drive — Sunday, Aug. 16
- Barber & Men’s Spa, 11830 Sunrise Valley Drive, Unit 900 — between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 16
Symptoms, contagious period and who is considered protected
Health officials emphasized that
"measles is highly contagious"and spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. According to VDH guidance cited by the Alexandria Health Department, the illness typically follows a predictable progression:
- First stage: seven to 14 days after exposure — fever greater than 101°F, runny nose, watery red eyes and cough.
- Second stage: three to five days after initial symptoms — a spreading rash appears; an infected person can transmit the virus from four days before the rash shows up through four days after the rash starts.
VDH considers the following people protected from measles:
- Individuals who have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine;
- People born before 1957;
- Anyone with documented prior measles infection.
The department also reminded parents that routine measles vaccination for infants typically begins at 12 to 15 months of age, leaving younger infants unvaccinated and potentially vulnerable if exposed. Those who are severely immunocompromised should contact their physician or local health department for guidance.
Current outbreak context in Virginia
Statewide figures supplied by VDH show an active situation this year. To date in 2026, Virginia has recorded 179 confirmed measles cases. Among those cases:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total cases in 2026 | 179 |
| Hospitalizations | 5% of cases |
| Cases in children under 18 | 65% |
| Cases in central region | 155 |
| Cases in northern region | 9 |
There have been no reported deaths linked to the 2026 cases, VDH said. The bulk of the outbreak has been concentrated in Virginia’s central region, though public-health officials continue to track and investigate cases in the northern region, which includes Alexandria.
What Alexandria residents should do
Local health officials advise residents who visited the listed Reston locations during the specified times to review their vaccination records and to monitor themselves and family members for symptoms. Those who have received two documented doses of measles vaccine, were born before 1957, or have verified prior infection are generally considered protected.
People who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or who have unknown vaccination status — especially infants younger than 12 months and individuals with weakened immune systems — should contact their health care provider or the Alexandria Health Department for next steps. Early notification can allow public-health staff to provide post-exposure advice, testing and, when appropriate, timely vaccination or immune globulin therapy.
Alexandria health officials said they will continue to coordinate with VDH as contact tracing proceeds and will notify the public if additional local exposures are identified.
