March for Life attendees exposed to measles DC Health warns

Measles Exposure at March for Life Rally

Thousands of attendees at the annual March for Life rally in Washington, D.C., may have been exposed to measles after confirmed cases were reported among participants. The DC Department of Health has issued warnings about potential exposure at various locations including transit hubs and healthcare facilities such as Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Union Station, Amtrak Northeast Regional trains, and the subway system. Additionally, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and Catholic University were also visited by infected individuals. Children's National Hospital issued a public health notice after a Virginia resident confirmed to have measles visited their Emergency Department on February 2.

The U.S. is experiencing its largest measles outbreak in decades with over 733 confirmed cases in 20 states as of last Thursday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Most cases involve individuals who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. South Carolina's outbreak, which began in October 2025, has surpassed that of Texas and continues to grow rapidly. The Department of Public Health reported 44 new confirmed cases on Friday, bringing the total in the state to 920. Officials warn that people may have been exposed in this latest round of new cases in several locations, including a Target store in Taylors, S.C., and the Social Security Administration in Spartanburg, S.C. The outbreak is centered in Spartanburg.

Global health officials are concerned about the spreading of measles in the United States. The World Health Organization's Pan American Health Organization has invited the U.S. to meet in April to review its measles elimination status. The U.S. is at risk of losing its status as a country that has eradicated the disease, as the Trump administration formally withdrew from the WHO last month.

DC's Health Department is advising anyone possibly exposed who is not fully vaccinated or has a compromised immune system to contact their health provider or the health department. Public health officials urge vaccinations as measles cases rise across the country.