Per communicable disease law, Union County Public Health is making the public aware of a confirmed case of measles involving an individual who recently traveled through the region and visited a business in Indian Trail, North Carolina. Union County Public Health is notifying members of the public who may have been exposed. 

Individuals who visited the QuikTrip gas station and convenience store at 5650 W. Hwy 74 in Indian Trail on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. may have been exposed. The individual did enter the store during this time. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area.

Anyone who visited the QuikTrip during the specified date and time is encouraged to contact Union County Public Health at 704-296-4420 for guidance.

At this time, there are no confirmed cases of measles in Union County. Union County Public Health will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as appropriate.

About Measles

Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that spreads to others when a person with measles coughs or sneezes. The measles virus can live for up to two hours in the airspace where an infected person was present. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch an object contaminated with respiratory droplets and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth, they can become infected. Measles spreads so easily that if one person has measles, 9 out of 10 people near them will become infected if they are not immune through vaccination or prior measles illness. Given the risk of community spread, everyone is encouraged to ensure they are up to date on all immunizations, including the MMR vaccine.

Symptoms of measles usually begin 7 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)
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums, and roof of the mouth 2 to 3 days after symptoms begin
• A rash that is red, raised and blotchy; usually starts on the face, spreads to the trunk, arms and legs, three to five days after symptoms begin

An infected person can spread measles to others starting four days before and continuing for four days after their rash appears.

Vaccination

Measles can be easily prevented with the MMR vaccine. It is important for all individuals aged 12 months and older to get vaccinated. Vaccination can still prevent illness if received within a few days of exposure. It is rare for vaccinated individuals to contract measles.

Union County Public Health offers MMR vaccinations and immunity testing:

• Children up to age 18: Free
• Adults: Minimal cost
• Insurance and Medicaid will be billed when applicable.

Public Health operates a vaccination clinic at Union County Human Services, 2330 Concord Ave., Monroe, that is open to the public during regular operating hours. Vaccines may also be available through pharmacies or health care providers.

If You Think You Have Measles

Because measles is very contagious, if you think you have contracted measles, you should stay home and contact your healthcare provider. People with symptoms of measles should not go to an emergency department or healthcare clinic without calling ahead to get guidance on when and where to go to avoid contact with others.

Measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years of age.

• About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the United States who get measles is hospitalized.
• As many as 1 out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children.
• About 1 child out of every 1,000 who gets measles will develop encephalitis (swelling of the brain) that can lead to seizures and leave the child deaf or with intellectual disability.
• Nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.

More information about measles is available on the County website, the NCDHHS website, which includes a measles exposure tracker, and the CDC website.