First 2026 measles case in Baltimore-area resident prompts exposure alerts

Maryland health officials say the state’s first measles case of 2026 was diagnosed in a Baltimore-area resident who recently traveled internationally, with exposures noted at Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport, FastMed Urgent Care in Pikesville, and Sinai Hospital’s emergency departments. Measles is highly contagious and vaccination remains the best protection; those exposed should monitor for symptoms for up to three weeks and contact a clinician if they develop fever or a rash. Maryland reports a kindergarten vaccination rate around 96.4% for 2024–25, and nationwide measles cases have risen to about 1,748 this year, underscoring the continued importance of vaccination for herd immunity.