HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has identified an Exxon gas station in Hendersonville as another potential measles exposure site after an out-of-state resident with the disease traveled through western North Carolina while contagious. The exposure is connected to the previously identified site in Asheville, which was first announced Sunday, Aug. 30.WLOSPOTENTIAL MEASLES EXPOSURE REPORTED AT ASHEVILLE HOTEL, NCDHHS SAYSNCDHHS says anyone who was at the Exxon at 1920 Four Seasons Blvd. in Hendersonville on Aug. 25 from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. or the Holiday Inn Express at 435 Smokey Park Highway in Asheville on Aug. 26 from 1 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. may have been exposed to measles.People who were at the Exxon during that time should watch for symptoms through Sept. 15. Those who were at the Holiday Inn Express should monitor for symptoms through Sept. 16, according to NCDHHS.Dr. Emma Doran, medical director for vaccine-preventable and respiratory diseases with NCDHHS, said the person who had measles lives in another state and was only traveling through North Carolina.”We had a resident from another state who traveled through North Carolina while they were infectious with measles. That can happen because you can spread measles before you even have the rash. So we do get notifications like this sometimes and and try to make sure that the public is aware, because anytime you share the same airspace with somebody with measles, it’s a very contagious illness,” Doran said.Doran said North Carolina learned about the exposure from health officials in the state where the person lives.“The epidemiologist from another state reached out to us and said, ‘We have an individual with a case of measles, and they shared their travel itinerary with us,’” Doran said.Measles is a respiratory disease that spreads through the air by coughing and sneezing. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area.NCDHHS said symptoms of measles usually begin seven to 14 days after exposure but can appear up to 21 days after exposure and may include:High fever (may spike to more than 104 degrees)CoughRunny noseRed, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth (Koplik spots) two to three days after symptoms beginA red, raised, blotchy rash that usually starts on the face and spreads to the trunk, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms beginAccording to state health officials, the hotel and gas station have been fully cooperating with the health departments in Buncombe and Henderson counties to inform patrons and staff of potential exposure.PA GOVERNOR SAYS STATE’S FIRST MEASLES DEATHS IN DECADES WERE ‘COMPLETELY PREVENTABLE’AUG. 31, 2026 – The Holiday Inn Express at 435 Smokey Park Highway in Asheville, North Carolina. State health officials have identified this hotel as a potential measles exposure site. (Photo: WLOS Staff)Doran also stressed that there is no current risk from going to the Asheville hotel now.“At this point, there’s no concern about about the hotel being infectious in any way,” Doran said.North Carolina reported 24 measles cases between December 2025 and February 2026, according to NCDHHS. Seven were in Buncombe County. The department said no new North Carolina cases have been reported since February.Doran said state data shows fewer people are getting the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine, particularly as children enter school. She said that can leave groups of people without immunity at risk and create opportunities for the virus to spread.“That creates the opportunity for measles to take hold and start spreading and cause outbreaks like we’re seeing in several other states,” Doran said.Doran said people who may have been exposed should check whether they have received the MMR vaccine.FILE – Anna Hicks prepares a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine at the Andrews County Health Department, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Andrews, Texas. (AP Photo/Annie Rice, File)“I want people to know that the MMR vaccine is really a very effective vaccine. If you have gotten your MMR vaccine, two doses is 97% effective in preventing measles,” Doran said. “So, if you’re vaccinated, you know the risk of developing measles, even if you were in the same location as this individual, is very low.”Doran said people who have not received the vaccine should talk with their health care provider.Health officials do not yet know whether either exposure will lead to additional measles cases.”We really don’t know whether we’ll have cases because of this traveler, but it’s always possible, which is why we put this information out and try to warn the public,” Doran said.NCDHHS said people who develop symptoms should contact their local health department and stay home unless they need medical care. Anyone who needs medical care should call ahead before going to a doctor’s office or emergency room so staff can take steps to avoid exposing others.As of Aug. 27, 2026, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had reported 2,887 measles cases this year. NCDHHS said this is the highest number of measles cases reported in the U.S. since the second dose of the MMR vaccine became widely used in the early 1990s.
