Virginia confirms measles case
Virginia health officials are investigating a confirmed measles case in the Northern Region involving a young child who recently returned from international travel and prompting contact tracing. (The department issued notifications to potentially exposed communities as part of routine containment steps.) (nationaltoday.com)
Virginia health officials said a preschool-age child in the Northern Region has a confirmed measles case after recent international travel. (vdh.virginia.gov) The Virginia Department of Health said January 11 that this is the state’s second measles case of 2026. Officials said they are identifying and notifying people who may have been exposed. (vdh.virginia.gov) Measles is a virus that spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it is highly contagious and preventable with the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. (cdc.gov) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says symptoms usually begin 7 to 14 days after infection and can include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash. The agency says measles can cause serious complications, especially in babies and young children. (cdc.gov) Virginia’s health department says the state saw an increase in measles in 2025 and into 2026. The agency says recent Virginia cases have been tied to international or domestic travel and to household or close-contact spread. (vdh.virginia.gov) Virginia requires documentary proof of age-appropriate immunization for children attending public or private school, child care centers, nursery schools, family day care homes, and developmental centers. State guidance says the measles, mumps, and rubella requirement is a minimum of two measles doses, two mumps doses, and one rubella dose, usually given as the combined measles, mumps, and rubella shot. (vdh.virginia.gov; vdh.virginia.gov) Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 1,714 confirmed measles cases had been reported in 2026 in its latest update, with 94 percent linked to outbreaks. The agency also said 10 cases were reported among international visitors to the United States. (cdc.gov) Virginia health officials have not released the child’s location or other identifying details. The next step is contact tracing and exposure notices while officials work to contain any additional spread. (vdh.virginia.gov)
