Small child diagnosed with measles confirmed as Virginia’s third case in 2025

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WRIC) -- A small child who spent several hours in Charlottesville across multiple days has been diagnosed with measles, creating an exposure risk for those in the area. This marks the third confirmed case of measles in Virginia this year.

On Thursday, June 4, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced that a child 4 years old or younger was diagnosed with measles.

This illness came after they were exposed to Virginia's second measles case of the year, which involved a teenager. Both were in Charlottesville in late May.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs.

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The VDH provided locations, dates and times of two potential exposure sites in Charlottesville, listed below:

• SugarBear Ice Cream, 1522 E. High Street
  • Saturday, May 31, between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
  • Those who were indoors at this location have a higher risk of exposure, while those who were only outside have minimal risk.
• Lowe’s Home Improvement, 400 Woodbrook Drive
  • Sunday, June 1, between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

If you visited either of these places during the specified times, you may have been exposed to measles. The VDH said that health officials are working to identify those at risk.

What should I do if I may have been exposed?

If you were born before 1957, you are protected and you do not need to do anything. You are also protected if you have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, as measles is fully preventable with vaccinations, according to the VDH.

While those who have only received one dose of such a vaccine are not fully protected, they are "very likely" to be protected, the VDH said.

"However, to achieve the highest level of protection, contact your healthcare provider about getting a second vaccine dose," health officials said.

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Those born after that cutoff or those who are unvaccinated should contact their healthcare provider immediately, as they are at risk of developing measles.

At-risk, exposed individuals are encouraged to monitor themselves for symptoms. These can develop within 21 days of exposure.

What symptoms do I need to look out for?

During measles' first stage, sick individuals may experience a fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit, a runny nose, red and watery eyes and a cough, according to the VDH. These symptoms typically appear within 7 to 14 days of exposure.

The second stage typically begins 3 to 5 days after symptoms start. In this stage, sick individuals will notice a rash on their face that spreads to the rest of their body. Per the VDH, measles is contagious for four days before the rash appears and for four days afterwards.

If you start experiencing any of these symptoms, the VDH strongly advises that you immediately self-isolate to prevent additional exposures to others.

For more information, you can read the Virginia Department of Health's full press release online.