Measles Exposure at March for Life in D.C. Confirmed
People who went to the National March for Life rally in January might've been exposed to measles. Health officials in D.C. are warning everyone who was there.
Three people infected with measles visited various spots around the city between January 21 and February 2. Including the annual anti-abortion march. Thousands showed up to that—including Vice President JD Vance, Speaker Mike Johnson, and other members of Congress.
They Went Everywhere
Apparently those infected went to several highly populated spots. The Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Union Station. Catholic University of America. The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. A Virginia resident with measles showed up at Children's National Hospital ER on February 2.
Basically, these three people covered serious ground while contagious.
Measles Spreads Fast
Measles spreads through the air. Someone infected breathes, talks, coughs, sneezes—if you're in the same area, you can catch it. You don't even need to touch them.
Measles is no minor illness. It can lead to Pneumonia, brain swelling and death.
The harsh reality is that the U.S. eliminated measles by 2000 from proper vaccination. Then it started coming back, mostly hitting unvaccinated people. There have been two new outbreaks so far in 2026 and more than 730 confirmed cases as of February 5.
It's Not Just D.C.
Washington state confirmed an outbreak January 16 from a family traveling from South Carolina, where there's a big outbreak going. Los Angeles County just confirmed three cases from people who traveled internationally. One flew into LAX and went to Disneyland.
Last year was bad. Measles cases hit the highest level in over three decades in 2025. Three people died marking the first deaths in a decade.
Even RFK Jr. Is Telling People to Get Vaccinated
Dr. Oz and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are both pushing the measles vaccine right now as cases spread.
RFK Jr. has been skeptical about certain vaccines for years. Him telling people to get the measles vaccine certainly means something.
What Happens Now
DC Health is reaching out to people who might've been exposed. If you were at any of those locations between late January and early February and haven't gotten vaccinated, call your doctor or DC Health. Watch for symptoms for 21 days after exposure.
The Bottom Line
Three people with measles hit a major political rally, airports, transit stations, a university, a basilica, and a hospital ER over two weeks. Thousands were potentially exposed. Measles is back at levels not seen since the early '90s. Three people died from it last year. If you were at any of these locations and aren't vaccinated, this isn't something to ignore.
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