Buncombe County -- August 30, 2026: Buncombe County public health officials have confirmed a measles exposure at the Holiday Inn Express on Smokey Park Highway in Asheville, urging anyone present at the hotel on August 26, 2026, during specific hours to monitor for symptoms. The alert comes from Buncombe County Health and Human Services (BCHHS) and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), following a confirmed measles case involving a visitor from another state who was infectious while traveling through the area.
The potential exposure window is identified as Wednesday, August 26, 2026, between 1:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Anyone who was inside the Holiday Inn Express at 435 Smokey Park Highway in Asheville during this time may have been exposed. This includes overnight guests, individuals checking in or out, visitors in common areas such as the lobby or breakfast area, and staff working during the specified period.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease characterized by a high fever, cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes, and a rash that typically begins on the face and spreads downward. An infected person can spread the virus from four days before through four days after the rash appears. The virus can also linger in the air of an indoor space for up to two hours after an infected person has left.
Those potentially exposed should monitor for measles symptoms through September 16, 2026, which accounts for the maximum incubation period of up to 21 days. If symptoms develop, individuals are advised to stay home and avoid contact with others to prevent further spread. The hotel management is cooperating with public health officials to notify guests and employees who may have been present during the exposure.
People at higher risk from this exposure include unvaccinated individuals, those who have received only one dose of a measles-containing vaccine, infants too young to be fully vaccinated, and immunocompromised individuals. North Carolina experienced multiple measles cases earlier in 2026, prompting ongoing public health vigilance due to the disease's high complication rate, which can include pneumonia and hospitalization.
NCDHHS
Measles can be prevented by the combination MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. The MMR vaccine is highly effective at preventing measles, and it is recommended that all adults and children one year and older be up to date on their measles vaccine.
North Carolina residents can contact their health care provider or visit their local health department for additional information on ways to obtain the vaccine and schedule an appointment. Children eligible for the Vaccines for Children program may receive the vaccine from a provider enrolled in that program.
For more information about measles, please visit dph.ncdhhs.gov/measles.
The location is actively listed on state public health exposure trackers and is being communicated through press releases and local alerts. NCDHHS and BCHHS are jointly managing the response and providing guidance to the community.