Wake County Public Health warns of measles exposure at Raleigh O2 Fitness

Wake County Public Health warned residents Tuesday that a person infected with measles visited several north Raleigh businesses while contagious, including O2 Fitness at 7801 Alexander Promenade Place. Anyone who was at the listed locations during the posted dates and times may have been exposed and should check their vaccination records, monitor for symptoms and call Wake County Public Health for guidance at 919-250-4462.

Wake County’s exposure list includes exact times and addresses: O2 Fitness, 7801 Alexander Promenade Place, Raleigh, NC 27617, Feb. 5, 1:30–5:15 p.m.; Everbowl, 7840 Alexander Promenade Place, Suite 125, Raleigh, NC 27617, Feb. 5, 3:30–5:45 p.m.; Harris Teeter, 13210 Strickland Road, Raleigh, NC 27613, Feb. 5, 5–7:10 p.m.; Harris Teeter, 8345 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh, NC 27613, Feb. 5, 5:15–7:35 p.m.; and Walgreens, 13301 Strickland Road, Raleigh, NC 27613, Feb. 6, 3:30–5:40 p.m.

Measles symptoms to watch for include: Cough; Fever; Rash; Runny nose; Watery eyes. Wake County and other reporting note that symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after infection; some public-health guidance also recommends monitoring for up to 21 days after a possible exposure. Anyone who is not vaccinated or is unsure of their vaccination status should review records, isolate if symptoms develop and contact a health care provider or Wake County Public Health for next steps.

“Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious health complications, especially in young children and people with weakened immune systems,” Wake County Public Health said in its notice. The county added, “At this time, there are no reported cases of measles in Wake County; however, cases continue to rise across the country with the first case reported in North Carolina on June 24.” The person who visited the Raleigh locations “was contagious at the time, officials said.”

Statewide, health officials have seen an uptick in measles cases this season. State health officials report 18 cases of measles in North Carolina since December. Most of the North Carolina cases, 16, are in children 17 or younger, and infections have been reported in Buncombe, Cabarrus, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Nash, Rutherford, Polk and Union counties. Johnston County also confirmed its first case of measles since 2018, part of a broader regional concern.

Vaccination coverage matters locally: “At least 95% people in a community need to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity – below that, measles outbreaks are likely to occur,” WUNC reporting noted. Kindergarten vaccination rates in the region are below or near that benchmark in some places: Durham 88%; Wake estimated 94%; Orange 96%; Chatham 95%.

Public-health officials point to a large outbreak in South Carolina that has logged almost 600 new cases in just over a month, for a total of 789, and warn that measles is airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. A vaccine can prevent measles.

For now, Wake County is coordinating with the state Department of Health and Human Services on contact tracing and preparedness. Residents who visited the listed locations during the posted windows should check vaccination records, monitor for the listed symptoms, and call Wake County Public Health at 919-250-4462 for guidance. This alert underscores the importance of up-to-date vaccinations for north Raleigh gym-goers, shoppers and families as officials watch for any new cases.