Measles now reported in Wake, Durham and Orange counties. Johnston has 1st case since 2018.
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Possible measles exposure at four Raleigh locations on Feb. 5, 2026.
- Unvaccinated people urged to watch for symptoms and call before seeking care.
- CDC confirmed 733 U.S. measles cases as of Feb. 5, 2026; vaccination advised.
Triangle counties are on alert as Wake, Durham, Orange and Johnston counties report measles exposure in several locations and
Here’s what we know:
Wake County
Wake County Public Health said it was notified that the person went to several different locations. Officials did not say whether the person is a resident of Wake County or North Carolina or provide any other information about the person.
Anyone who was at these locations on Feb. 5 may have been exposed:
- O2 Fitness, 7801 Alexander Promenade Place, Raleigh between 1:30 and 5:15 p.m.
- Everbowl, 7840 Alexander Promenade Place, Suite 125, Raleigh, between 3:30 and 5:45 p.m.
- Harris Teeter, 13210 Strickland Road, Raleigh, between 5 and 7:10 p.m.
- Harris Teeter, 8345 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh, between 5:15 and 7:35 p.m.
- Walgreens, 13301 Strickland Road in Raleigh, on Feb. 6 from 3:30 to 5:40 p.m.
People should monitor for these symptoms until Feb. 27:
- High fever (may spike to more than 104 degrees)
- Cough
- Runny nose
- 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
If someone develops symptoms, the department encourages calling ahead before visiting a doctor’s office or emergency room so health care personnel can take necessary precautions.
Johnston County
Meanwhile Wednesday, the Johnston County Public Health Department and UNC Health Johnston in Smithfield confirmed a case of measles in an adult who lives in Johnston County. This is the county’s first confirmed measles case since 2018.
The Health Department is working with UNC Health Johnston and the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services to identify and contact people who might have been exposed.
“As soon as the patient arrived, our emergency department team quickly masked and moved the patient to a negative-pressure room to limit exposure,” said Tom Williams, CEO of UNC Health Johnston, in a news release. “They followed all procedures and protocols.”
“We are prepared,” he added. “Our physicians work closely with infectious disease experts and others across the UNC Health system. We’ve applied lessons learned from the pandemic and work hard to ensure we’re ready to care for patients while protecting our teammates and the community.”
Durham County
The Durham County Public Health Department reported Wednesday that someone who has measles visited three Durham County locations on Feb. 6, while contagious.
The person doesn’t live in Durham County, and no further information was provided. These are the places the person visited on Feb. 6.
- Goodwill, 4318 Garrett Road, Durham, 10:20 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.
- Chubby’s Tacos, 4711 Hope Valley Road, Durham, 11:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Plato’s Closet, 8128 Renaissance Parkway, #110, Durham, 12:45 p.m. to 4 pm.
Anyone in these locations should monitor for any symptoms for 21 days.
Orange County
The Orange County Health Department said Thursday it has been notified that a person with measles who was contagious visited the Goodwill Store, 1115 Weaver Dairy Road in Chapel Hill from 9 am to noon Feb. 6.
If you think you may have been exposed and have never been vaccinated against measles (MMR vaccine), call 919-245-2400 and ask to speak to a communicable disease nurse to assess your risk.
Measles spreads through the air and is one of the world’s most contagious diseases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The virus can cause complications like blindness, severe diarrhea and encephalitis — an infection that can cause the brain to swell and damage it.
How is measles spread?
Globally, measles killed 95,000 people in 2024 — most of whom were unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children under the age of 5, according to the WHO. Wake County Public Health recommends anyone above the age of 1 to speak with their healthcare provider about getting vaccinated if they aren’t already.
“Vaccination not only protects you, but it also protects infants, older adults and neighbors who may be more vulnerable to serious complications,” Wake County Public Health Director Rebecca Kaufman said.
Measles cases in North Carolina
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 733 measles cases as of Feb. 5, 2026. That is close to one-third of all cases recorded in all of 2025, which totaled 2,276 cases.
North Carolina has recorded 18 measles cases since December, one of which resulted in hospitalization, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. Sixteen of the 18 people infected were children, and 72% were unvaccinated.
DHHS reported possible measles exposure at Raleigh-Durham International Airport in December, The News & Observer previously reported.
This story was originally published February 10, 2026 at 7:24 PM.
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