The Virginia Department of Health is monitoring 5 Afghanistan evacuees who have the measles

• Virginia's health department is monitoring five cases of measles among Afghanistan evacuees.
• The agency is contacting people they believe to have been exposed to the virus.
• Measles spreads through coughing, sneezing, and contact with droplets from an infected individual.

The Virginia Department of Health says it's monitoring five Afghanistan evacuees who have contracted measles, according to a statement from the department.

The Department of Health is currently reaching out to individuals it believes may have been exposed to the virus.

The reported cases are currently localized in central and northern health regions, the department reported.

The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) worked with a Richmond area hospital to identify the individuals who were potentially exposed at the hospital on September 10, the press release said.

The Piedmont Health District is also working to track down further exposures that could have occurred at Fort Pickett in Nottoway County, while northern Virginia health departments are trying to identify anyone exposed to the measles at Dulles International Airport.

Measles is a highly contagious illness that spreads through coughing, sneezing, and contact with droplets from the nose, mouth, or throat of an infected individual, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

Cases of measles in the US are rare due to the widespread use of vaccines against the disease.

Due to commonality in many tourist locations, the Virginia Department of Health advises all who intend to travel to said locations to be evaluated for immunity, and possible vaccination, before they go. If a child hasn't received their vaccine, they should avoid locations where measles is common.