Charlotte, NC, February 12, 2026
Mecklenburg County Public Health has announced potential measles exposure sites across Charlotte following a confirmed case linked to another county. The notices address public safety concerns, advising individuals who visited specific locations on February 3rd and 4th to monitor for symptoms. The exposure sites include Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, Chipotle, and two Goodwill locations. All venues are now deemed safe, as efforts continue to prevent further virus transmission amidst rising measles cases in the region.
Charlotte
Measles Exposure Notices Issued for Multiple Charlotte Locations
Mecklenburg County Public Health has issued public health notices regarding potential measles exposures at several locations across Charlotte. These notices were released after a confirmed measles case, linked to another county, visited these sites in early February. Individuals who were present at these locations during specified times are advised to monitor for symptoms of measles. This proactive measure aims to prevent further spread of the highly contagious virus within the community.
Recent Exposure Sites and Times
The potential exposure events occurred on February 3rd and 4th. The affected locations and their respective exposure windows are:
- Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center (1000 Blythe Blvd.): February 3rd, from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., and February 4th, from 7 p.m. to midnight. Public health officials clarified that Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital was not impacted by this exposure.
- Chipotle (239 S. Kings Drive): February 3rd, from 9:50 p.m. to 11:50 p.m.
- Goodwill (5808 University Point Blvd.): February 4th, from noon to 3:45 p.m.
- Goodwill (3710 W. W.T. Harris Blvd.): February 4th, from 2 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.
Officials have confirmed that all four locations are now safe to visit and are fully cooperating with the public health investigation. These recent exposures are not connected to the three existing confirmed measles cases reported within Mecklenburg County.
Why Public Notices Are Issued
Mecklenburg County Public Health issues exposure notices when direct contact tracing for a confirmed measles case is unable to identify or reach all potentially exposed individuals. This strategy is crucial for protecting public health and preventing wider transmission of the disease. Measles is a viral illness that can lead to serious health complications and spreads easily.
Understanding Measles: Symptoms and Transmission
Measles is characterized by a combination of symptoms, including fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and a distinctive rash. The virus is exceptionally contagious and can remain active and infectious in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left an area. This airborne transmission makes it particularly challenging to contain without widespread immunity.
What to Do if You Were Exposed or Develop Symptoms
Anyone who was present at the listed locations during the specified times should closely monitor themselves for measles symptoms. If symptoms develop, it is critical to contact a doctor, clinic, or emergency department immediately. It is important to call ahead before arriving in person. This allows healthcare facilities to make special arrangements to prevent further spread of the virus to other patients and staff.
Measles Situation in the Carolinas
Public health officials have noted a general increase in measles cases across the Carolinas. In North Carolina, there have been 17 confirmed measles cases since December. Mecklenburg County currently has three reported measles cases. All cases and exposure notices within the county are tracked on the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services measles dashboard, which is updated twice a week.
Prevention Through Vaccination
The most effective method of protection against measles is vaccination. The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is widely available and typically administered in two doses. Children usually receive their first dose between 12 and 15 months of age and a second dose between 4 and 6 years of age. Adults who lack evidence of immunity may also need one or two doses. One dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective at preventing measles, while two doses increase effectiveness to 97%. The MMR vaccine is readily available at healthcare providers, retail pharmacies, and the Mecklenburg County Public Health Immunization Clinic.
Vaccination is particularly important for individuals traveling internationally, healthcare workers, and college students. Infants aged 6-11 months who are traveling abroad should receive an early dose of the MMR vaccine, followed by the standard two-dose schedule. If a child is unvaccinated or has not previously had measles and is exposed, they may be excluded from school for 21 days or longer to prevent further transmission.
Earlier Exposure Notices
Prior to these recent notices, Mecklenburg County Public Health also issued exposure warnings for other locations in late January. These included Vista Auction (2500 Sardis Rd.) on January 29th and 30th from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Lidl (9318 Monroe Rd.) on January 30th from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Similar to the current situation, these earlier exposures were linked to a case from another jurisdiction and not to Mecklenburg County’s existing confirmed cases.
Public health officials continue to work diligently with partners across different jurisdictions to investigate and monitor the evolving measles situation, emphasizing collective efforts to control the spread of the virus.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What are the recent measles exposure locations in Charlotte?
- Recent potential measles exposure locations in Charlotte include Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center (1000 Blythe Blvd.) on February 3rd and 4th, Chipotle (239 S. Kings Drive) on February 3rd, Goodwill (5808 University Point Blvd.) on February 4th, and Goodwill (3710 W. W.T. Harris Blvd.) on February 4th.
- When did these recent exposures occur?
- The potential exposures occurred on February 3rd and 4th.
- Are these exposures linked to the confirmed measles cases in Mecklenburg County?
- No, these recent exposures are not linked to any of the three confirmed measles cases currently reported in Mecklenburg County. They are linked to a confirmed measles case from another county.
- What should I do if I was at one of the exposed locations?
- If you were at one of the listed locations during the designated times, you should monitor for symptoms of measles, which include fever, runny nose, cough, rash, and red eyes. If symptoms develop, immediately call a doctor, clinic, or emergency department before arriving in person to prevent further spread.
- Are the exposed locations currently safe to visit?
- Yes, all four locations are now safe to visit and are cooperating with public health officials on the investigation.
- What are the symptoms of measles?
- Measles symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, rash, and red eyes.
- How contagious is measles?
- Measles is highly contagious and can remain active and infectious in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left an area.
- What is the best way to protect against measles?
- The best protection against measles is the two-dose Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
- Where can I get the MMR vaccine in Mecklenburg County?
- The MMR vaccine is widely available at healthcare providers, retail pharmacies, and the Mecklenburg County Public Health Immunization Clinic.
- How many measles cases have been reported in North Carolina?
- There have been 17 confirmed measles cases in North Carolina since December.
Key Information on Recent Measles Exposure in Charlotte
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| City of Incident | Charlotte, NC |
| Date of Exposure Notices | February 11, 2026 (updated) |
| Recent Exposure Dates | February 3rd and February 4th |
| Key Exposure Locations | Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, Chipotle, two Goodwill stores |
| Source of Exposure | Confirmed measles case linked to another county |
| Link to Local Cases | Not linked to the three confirmed measles cases in Mecklenburg County |
| Current Status of Locations | All locations are now safe to visit and cooperating with health officials |
| Measles Symptoms | Fever, runny nose, cough, rash, red eyes |
| Contagiousness | Highly contagious, can remain infectious in air/on surfaces for up to two hours |
| Primary Prevention | Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine |
| Number of NC Cases (since Dec.) | 17 confirmed cases |
| Number of Mecklenburg County Cases | 3 reported cases |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
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