RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Measles exposures have now been detected in Wake, Durham, and Johnston counties.
On Wednesday, Durham County Public Health said a person who visited several locations had a confirmed case of measles.
That person, who is not a Durham County resident, visited three locations within the county on Friday while contagious.
Anyone who visited the following places during the times indicated below may have been exposed to measles:
- Goodwill, 4318 Garret Rd., Durham, NC, 27707 on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, between 10:20 a.m. and 1:10 p.m.
- Chubby’s Tacos, 4711 Hope Valley Road, Durham, NC, 27707 on Friday, Feb. 6, between 11:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
- Plato’s Closet, 8128 Renaissance Pkwy #110, Durham, NC, 27713 on Friday, Feb. 6, between 12:45 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Wake County Public Health said Tuesday that it had been notified that a person infected with measles visited several public places in Wake County while contagious.
Wake County Public Health Director Rebecca Kaufman said the person infected with measles is not a resident of Wake County and lives in another state.
“This person resides in a different state and visited Wake County during their infectious period,” she said. “It’s more contagious than COVID-19 or some of these other viruses that we recently have seen and know about.”
Anyone who visited these locations during the dates and times listed below may have been exposed.
- O2 Fitness, 7801 Alexander Promenade Place, Raleigh, NC, 27617 from Feb. 5, 1:30-5:15 p.m.
- Everbowl, 7840 Alexander Promenade Place, Suite 125, Raleigh, NC, 27617 from Feb. 5, 3:30-5:45 p.m.
- Harris Teeter, 13210 Strickland Road, Raleigh, NC, 27613 from Feb. 5, 5-7:10 p.m.
- Harris Teeter, 8345 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh, NC, 27613 from Feb. 5, 5:15-7:35 p.m.
- Walgreens, 13301 Strickland Road., Raleigh, NC from Feb. 6, 2026, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:40 p.m.
There was also a confirmed case of measles in Johnston County. This is the county’s first confirmed measles case since 2018, according to a county spokesperson.
It’s not known whether the infected person visited more than one of the counties. Durham County Public Health told ABC11 that, because of patient confidentiality, it could not release more information about the infected person who visited the Durham County locations.
Sara King said she couldn’t believe the news when she heard the Harris Teeter she always goes to on Creedmoor Road was one of the locations of possible exposure.
“I was here on the 5th. Yes, I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I checked my calendar. I keep a journal. I go, ‘Oh, my goodness. That’s my store!’”
She said she’s fully vaccinated and feels fine, but says she’s just worried about the people she knows who work at the store and those who aren’t vaccinated.
“I’m very, very careful when I go out in public, particularly this time of the year, whether it be measles or anything else,” said King. “I go home, and I wash my hands immediately with hot water. And I don’t get around people very closely in proximity to me at this point.”
Margaret Seaver is a retired school nurse, and says she’s seen firsthand just how quickly the measles can spread.
“It’s devastating for the non-immunized,” said Seaver. “We had one case in the high school when I was a high school nurse back in the early ’90s, then we had multiple cases of that as a result.”
The Health Department is working with UNC Health Johnston and the NC Department of Health and Human Services to identify and contact those who might have been exposed. Officials will determine whether those who are immune to measles and talk about ways to reduce the risk of further spread. Officials do not recommend laboratory testing for people who were exposed unless they develop symptoms.
Ninety-five percent of the community needs to be vaccinated to reach herd immunity. Wake County public health officials say the county has a 94% vaccination rate.
People who are not vaccinated or are unsure of their vaccination status should review their records, monitor for symptoms, and contact Wake County Public Health for guidance at (919) 250-4462.
Measles is a respiratory disease that is spread through the air by coughing and sneezing. It can also be transmitted through contact with secretions from the nose or mouth of an infected person. The virus can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person was present.
Symptoms of measles usually begin 7-14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure and may include:
- High fever (may spike to more than 104 degrees)
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth (Koplik Spots) two to three days after symptoms begin
- A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin
“Measles spreads easily, but it is also preventable,” said Rebecca Kaufman, Wake County Public Health Director. “The MMR vaccine has been used for decades and is both safe and highly effective. If you or your child is not up to date on vaccinations, now is the time to get protected. Vaccination not only protects you, but it also protects infants, older adults, and neighbors who may be more vulnerable to serious complications.”
If exposed, they also say you need to monitor symptoms until at least Feb. 27.
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Jon Dowding
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