Measles exposure sites spread to Md., Va. and D.C.

WASHINGTON - With five confirmed cases of measles in the area, local health officials are warning that people in the District and Arlington and Montgomery counties may have been exposed to the virus.

Local health officials released the following list of potential exposure sites in D.C. and Arlington and Montgomery counties:

Maryland Exposure Sites:

Saturday, April 4

• Bethesda - Used Book Fair at Stone Ridge School, 9101 Rockville Pike 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Rockville - Vegetable Garden Restaurant, 11618 Rockville Pike 12 - 3 p.m.
• Rockville - Jiffy Lube, 5535 Nicholson Lane 1 -3:30 p.m.

People who were at any of these locations on these dates and during the specified time may have been exposed to measles.

If you think you were at these sites at these times, call the Montgomery County Health Department at (240) 777-4200.

Virginia Exposure Sites Sunday, April 5

• Saigon Saigon Restaurant (Pentagon Row), 1101 S. Joyce Street 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.
• Harris Teeter (Pentagon Row), 900 Army Navy Drive 9 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

People who were at any of these locations on these dates and during the specified time may have been exposed to measles.

If you think you were at these sites at these times, call the Virginia Disease Prevention Hotline at (800) 533-4148.

D.C. Exposure Sites

Saturday, April 4

• Pot Belly Restaurant (Near Federal Center Metro) 409 3rd Street, SW, 3:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.

• Safeway Grocery Store, 401 M Street, SW 4 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

• Safeway Grocery Store, 401 M Street, SW 3 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

People who were at any of these locations on these dates and during the specified time may have been exposed to measles.

If you think you were at these sites at these times, call 311 if you are a D.C. resident. Non-D.C. residents should call the D.C. Department of Health at (202) 737-4404.

People with those symptoms asked to call ahead before showing up at the doctor or emergency room so steps can be taken to avoid putting other people at risk.

Measles is a highly contagious illness that is spread through coughing, sneezing, and contact with secretions from the nose, mouth, and throat of an infected individual. The measles virus can live in the air for several hours after a person coughs or sneezes.

Initial symptoms of measles include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, which can last about a week.

Most people with measles recover from the illness, but there are complications with about 20 percent of cases -- especially cases involving children under age 5 and adults older than 20.

To prevent the spread of measles, you should wash your hands frequently and cover your mouth when you cough.

Hospitals and doctors have been alerted to the number of cases and are looking for patients with fevers and rashes.

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