Maryland health officials confirmed five additional measles cases Wednesday tied to people who were together and visited the Carroll Hospital Center emergency department waiting room on the afternoon of July 13, bringing the state's total to nine cases this year.
The new cluster arrives amid a broader national surge: the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 2,231 measles cases so far in 2026, a tally that nearly matches last year’s record of 2,289 cases, the most in the United States since 1991.
Where residents may have been exposed
The Maryland Department of Health said the five people "traveled together to a location in the U.S. experiencing an active measles outbreak" and later were confirmed to have measles. Officials warned that other individuals who visited the Carroll Hospital Center emergency department waiting room in Westminster during the afternoon of July 13 may have been exposed.
"traveled together to a location in the U.S. experiencing an active measles outbreak"
Washington, D.C., has reported a single confirmed measles case this year. D.C. Health said the resident was contagious while visiting multiple sites on June 17, including Dulles International Airport in the morning and the Mary’s Center clinic in the Adams Morgan neighborhood later that day. Unlike Maryland and some neighboring states, D.C. has not reported additional linked cases since that confirmation.
Regional context
Virginia has been one of the hardest-hit states in the current outbreak, reporting 177 cases this year. The state’s outbreak is largely concentrated in the Central region, especially Buckingham and Cumberland counties, where public-health resources have been focused.
The following table summarizes the most recent case counts cited by health authorities and the CDC:
| Jurisdiction | Cases in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Maryland | 9 |
| Washington, D.C. | 1 |
| Virginia | 177 |
| United States (CDC) | 2,231 |
What residents should know and do
Health departments typically advise that measles spreads easily through respiratory droplets and can remain contagious in the air or on surfaces for hours. The most effective protection against measles is vaccination; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the MMR vaccine according to its schedule.
Local officials are urging anyone who visited the Carroll Hospital Center emergency department waiting room the afternoon of July 13 to monitor for symptoms — including high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and the distinctive rash — and contact health authorities or a medical provider if symptoms develop.
- Know where and when potential exposures occurred — hospitals and public transit hubs have been named in recent notices.
- If you are unsure of your vaccination status, contact your primary care provider or local health department about MMR immunization.
- People who develop symptoms should avoid public places and seek medical guidance immediately.
Maryland Department of Health and D.C. Health posted public notices about potential exposures; county and hospital officials may issue additional advisories or clinic information if contact tracing identifies more at-risk groups.
Health officials emphasize vigilance as the outbreak continues to evolve nationally and regionally.
