Maryland Health Officials Issue Measles Exposure Alert for Three Ocean City Venues

Key points

• An out-of-state resident with measles visited three Ocean City locations while contagious.
• Exposure windows include Sept. 3-6 at Casablanca Oceanside Inn, Sept. 3 at Buona Vita Pizzeria, and Sept. 5 at Bonfire Restaurant.
• Maryland has confirmed 40 measles cases in 2026 to date.
• Unvaccinated individuals should monitor for symptoms for 21 days and call ahead before seeking medical care.
• Fully vaccinated individuals or those born before 1957 are generally considered protected.

Background

This alert follows a series of measles exposure warnings across the United States in late 2026. Recent incidents include alerts in Kansas, Arizona, New York, and North Carolina, often linked to travel or healthcare settings. The CDC reported 2,887 confirmed measles cases nationwide as of late August 2026, the highest number since the early 1990s. Maryland had previously confirmed multiple cases in 2026, with officials emphasizing the importance of vaccination to prevent further spread.

Why it matters

Measles is highly contagious and can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a space. While the risk is low for fully vaccinated individuals, unvaccinated people face significant health risks. The alert underscores the ongoing need for vaccination and symptom monitoring to prevent further transmission in public spaces.

What to watch

Contact tracing is underway to identify and notify potential exposures. Individuals who visited the listed locations during the specified times should monitor for symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes for 21 days. Those who develop symptoms should isolate and contact a healthcare provider, calling ahead to prevent further spread.