Health officials warn of measles exposure at 7 Nashville businesses over July 4 weekend

July 11, 2026 - 22:15

Nashville health officials are alerting the public about potential measles exposure at seven local businesses during the Fourth of July weekend. The warning covers visits made between July 1 and July 4, and officials are urging anyone who was at these locations during that time to watch for symptoms.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread through coughing, sneezing, or even being in the same room as an infected person. Symptoms typically appear one to three weeks after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a distinctive rash that starts on the face and spreads downward.

The Metro Public Health Department has not released the names of the specific businesses involved, but they confirmed the locations are spread across Nashville. They are working to notify people who may have been in close contact with the infected individual. Anyone who is unvaccinated or unsure of their vaccination status is strongly encouraged to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Health officials stress that the best protection against measles is vaccination. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97 percent effective at preventing the disease. People who believe they may have been exposed should monitor their health and call a doctor before going to a clinic or emergency room to avoid spreading the virus further.