The Orange County Health Department has reported that a person infected with measles recently visited a public place while contagious. According to the department, anyone who visited the Goodwill store at 1115 Weaver Dairy Road in Chapel Hill between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6 may have been exposed.

Anyone who thinks they may have been exposed during this timeframe and who has never been vaccinated against the measles is urged to call 919-245-2400 and ask to speak to a communicable disease nurse to assess risk.

Measles is highly contagious and can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person was present. Symptoms usually begin 7-14 days after exposure, but have been known to appear up to 21 days after exposure.

Symptoms of measles include:

  • High fever (may spike to more than 104 degrees)
  • Cough
  • Runny nose
  • Red, water eyes
  • Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth
  • A red, raised and blotchy rash, usually beginning on the face and spreading across the body
  • Diarrhea, pneumonia, swelling of the brain and suppression of the immune system

If symptoms do develop, the Orange County Health Department asks individuals to call ahead before visiting a doctor’s office or emergency department so precautions can be taken to prevent additional exposures. Lab testing is not recommended for people who were exposed unless they develop symptoms.

The Orange County Health Department also encourages anyone age 1 or older who is not vaccinated to receive two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. To schedule a vaccination appointment, call 919-245-2400. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services also offers a measles immunity checker tool to provide preliminary guidance on immunity status.

According to NCDHHS, there have been 18 reported cases of measles in the state of North Carolina since December 2025.

 

Featured image via Associated Press/Julio Cortez

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
On Measles, Orange County Wants to Bring 'Immunity to the Community'
Later this month, Orange County is hosting a public symposium on measles, part of a push to urge parents to get their kids vaccinated.
On Air Today: Orange County Measles Symposium, 'Bringing Immunity to the Community'
Orange County medical director Erica Pettigrew joins Aaron to discuss an upcoming public symposium on measles and the MMR vaccine.
Medical Clinic at Southern Human Services Center Re-Opening on Monday
The Orange County Health Department’s medical clinic at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill will re-open on Monday, July 10. The clinic had been closed due to a facilities construction project at the building since November 7. The county government originally estimated in November that the project would last approximately four months. The […]
Construction to Affect Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill
Orange County expects an impending facilities construction project to affect government services at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, according to a release sent out on Thursday afternoon. The county government says construction in the area will begin on Monday, November 7 and last for approximately four months. The Health, Housing and Social […]
Town of Chapel Hill Shares 2022 Plans for Halloween
With Monday, October 31 rapidly approaching, the Town of Chapel Hill announced its plans for accommodating a downtown Halloween celebration that night. The town government said it will close Franklin Street and Columbia Street to motorists from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Halloween night. Franklin Street will be closed between the Church Street and […]
Orange County Adjusts, Scales Back COVID Testing Schedule
The Orange County Health Department announced its new hours of operation for drive-thru and walk-in COVID-19 testing in Hillsborough and Chapel Hill. The updated hours went into effect at the beginning of August. The health department continues to scale back its offerings as at-home COVID-19 tests become more and more available. Instead of being offered […]
Free Chapel Hill COVID-19 Testing Site Changes Locations
As more and more North Carolinians become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, many local health officials are reminding community members testing for the virus is still crucial. The Orange County Health Department announced Monday one of its free COVID-19 testing sites is changing locations within Chapel Hill. The state vendor Optum Serve has been conducting […]
New Weekday COVID-19 Testing Available in Chapel Hill
A new no-cost COVID-19 testing option will now be available for Chapel Hill and Orange County residents. The Orange County Health Department announced that a new testing site will be available through OptumServe and will operate on Monday through Fridays in Chapel Hill. The testing site will be located at the R7 Parking Lot (725 Martin […]
Orange County Shifts Weekly COVID Testing Location in Chapel Hill
Orange County Health Department said Wednesday the testing location for October 7 is now set to be in the Nash Parking Lot behind the Newman Catholic Student Center. Those looking to be tested for coronavirus should enter the lot via Wilson Street.**** The Orange County Health Department announced changes to its weekly testing schedule […]
Newman Catholic Student Center Hosts Free Coronavirus Testing Event in Chapel Hill
The Orange County Health Department postponed the testing event until Tuesday due to a forecast of inclement weather. This article has been updated to reflect this information.**** In an effort to continue measuring the spread of COVID-19 within the community, the Orange County Health Department is holding a free testing event on Tuesday. The […]
›