Mecklenburg County Public Health officials warn residents about a potential measles exposure at two locations.

Officials said anyone who visited Vista Auction between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Jan. 29 and 30 on Sardis Road or Lidl between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 30 on Monroe Road could have been exposed.

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Officials said these locations were not the source of the infection and are now safe to visit.

Anyone who visited these locations during these time frames should monitor for any symptoms.

Officials say there are currently three reported cases of measles in Mecklenburg County. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reports 17 cases since December 2025, with one hospitalized.

The exposure was not linked to any cases in Mecklenburg County, officials said, but is connected to another jurisdiction. Mecklenburg County Public Health said officials are working with partners across jurisdictions to investigate and monitor situations as measles cases increase across the state.

WRAL News spoke with local health officials who said nationwide, 11% of people who have gotten measles this past year have ended up in the hospital.

It is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact.

The virus can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person was present. Symptoms of measles usually begin 7-14 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 (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
              • Measles can also cause complications, including diarrhea, pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and suppression of the immune system.

                Anyone who develops symptoms should call ahead before visiting a doctor’s office, urgent care or emergency department to prevent possible spread to others.

                The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recommends that all unvaccinated people aged 1 year and older receive the measles vaccination to protect themselves and those around them. While MMR vaccination is not routinely recommended for children younger than the age of 12 months, MMR vaccination can be safely given to children as young as 6 months if they are at higher risk.