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In all, 41 drivers will take the green flag on Sunday, Feb. 15 — out of 45 entrants — including former seven-time series champion Jimmie Johnson, who is being granted an Open Exemption Provisional, meaning the two-time Daytona 500 winner is locked into the field, but cannot earn championship points or prize money.

William Byron is looking to become the only driver ever to win three straight Daytona 500s after joining select company with his second straight win in the 2025 edition. That list includes Richard Petty (1973-74), Cale Yarborough (1983-84), Sterling Marlin (1994-95) and Denny Hamlin (2019-20).

This year's Daytona 500 will feature eight previous winners, with Hamlin entering with the most Harley J. Earl trophies at three.

Daytona 500 TV/streaming schedule

All times Eastern

Wednesday, Feb. 118 p.m.:Front-row qualifying (FS1)

Thursday, Feb. 127 p.m.:Qualifying duel 1 (FS1)8:45 p.m.:Qualifying duel 2 (FS2)

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Sunday, Feb. 152:30 p.m.:Daytona 500 (Fox)

Daytona 500 race details

Track:Daytona International Speedway (2.5-mile high-banked tri-oval) in Daytona Beach, FloridaBanking:Turns - 31 degrees | Tri-oval - 18 degrees | Backstretch - 3 degreesRace length:200 laps for 500 milesStage lengths:Stage 1 - 65 laps | Stage 2 - 65 laps | Stage 3 - 70 laps

Daytona 500 qualifying format

The biggest race on the NASCAR calendar also features a unique qualifying format not used on any other race weekend. On Wednesday night all entered cars will turn one lap at top speed, the order of which is determined by a Tuesday night draw of numbers. The top 10 drivers then go into a shootout with the top two times from that session setting the front row for Sunday's race.

The remaining cars are dropped — as evenly as possible, along with the top two qualifiers — into two 60-lap qualifying "duels" to be run Thursday night that set the field from spots three through 41. The finishing order for the first duel determines the inside row slots and the finishing order from the second duel sets the outside row.

The four open (non-chartered or provisional) entries will not make the field.

Top drivers and best bets for the Daytona 500

Owing to the unpredictable nature of the Daytona 500, two-time defending champion William Byron enters with the third-best odds at +1200. Ryan Blaney enters the week with the best odds at 10-to-1 while his Penske teammates aren't far behind as Joey Logano is +1100 and Austin Cindric is at +1400.All odds courtesy of BetMGM.

Best odds to win the Daytona 500

• Ryan Blaney +1000

• Joey Logano +1100

• William Byron +1200

• Austin Cindric +1400

Yahoo Sports' Nick Bromberg recommendsspreading smaller bets around a handful of drivers rather than big wagers on one or two top names. He suggests good mid-tier value can be found in 23XI Racing's Bubba Wallace (+2200) as Wallace has the highest average Daytona finish of anyone in the field at 14.4, including two second-place runs. If you're looking for a longshot, Bromberg points out that Josh Berry's (+3500) Wood Brothers team has an alliance with the aforementioned favored Penskes while Erik Jones (+4000) has five straight top-20 finishes at Daytona and won this event back in 2018.

Daytona 500 entry list

Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletAustin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske FordAustin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletNoah Gragson, No. 4 Front Row Motorsports FordKyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletBrad Keselowski, No. 6 RFK Racing FordDaniel Suárez, No. 7 JR Motorsports ChevroletKyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletChase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletTy Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing ChevroletDenny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaRyan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske FordA.J. Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing ChevroletChris Buescher, No. 17 RFK Racing FordChase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaChristopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaJosh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing FordJoey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske FordBubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing ToyotaWilliam Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletTodd Gilliland, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports FordRiley Herbst, No. 35 23XI Racing ToyotaChandler Smith, No. 36 Front Row Motorsports Ford*Zane Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports FordJustin Allgaier, No. 40 JR Motorsports Chevrolet*Cole Custer, No. 41 Haas Factory Team FordJohn Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club ToyotaErik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club ToyotaJ.J. Yeley, No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet*Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing ToyotaRicky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports ChevroletAlex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletCody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing FordTy Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaRyan Preece, No. 60 RFK Racing FordAnthony Alfredo, No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet*Casey Mears, No. 66 Garage 66 Ford*Corey Heim, No. 67 23XI Racing Toyota*Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports ChevroletCarson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports ChevroletB.J. McLeod, No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet*Jimmie Johnson, No. 84 Legacy Motor Club ToyotaConnor Zilisch, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletShane van Gisbergen, No. 97 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletCorey LaJoie, No. 99 RFK Racing Ford*

*-Open entry, not guaranteed to make the 41-car field.

Daytona 500 race week weather

According to Yahoo Weather, the forecast is ideal all week with daytime highs ranging from 67-76 degrees. There is only a single-digit percentage chance of rain all week … except for race day. That chance climbs to a 25% chance of rain right around the scheduled green flag (2:30 p.m. ET) on Sunday.

Check out ourteam-by-team offseason previews right here,which detail positional needs, cap space, draft capital, and much more for all 32 clubs.

And here's your guide to the NFL's offseason calendar. Bookmark these dates.

2026 NFL scouting combine

Feb. 23-March 2, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis

Prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft are invited to work out, get measurements and do interviews as part of the draft process.

Franchise tag and transition tag deadline

March 3, 4 p.m. ET

Teams can place either a franchise tag or transition tag on players under contract in an attempt to work out a long-term deal, or have them play the following season under the tag.

Here are the projected franchise tag positional values, viaOver The Cap:

Quarterback:$47.321 millionRunning back:$14.536 millionWide receiver:$28.824 millionTight end:$16.319 millionOffensive line:$27.924 millionDefensive end:$27.322 millionDefensive tackle:$26.311 millionLinebacker:$28.197 millionCornerback:$21.414 millionSafety:$20.876 millionPunter/kicker:$6.9 million

2026 NFL free agency

Legal tampering period:March 9 at noon ET through March 11 at 4 p.m. ET

Free agency begins on March 11 at 4 p.m. ET

For those first two days, March 9-11, teams are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with certified agents of players set to be unrestricted free agents. Players not represented by certified agents are permitted to communicate directly with a team's front office butnotthe head coach or members of the coaching staff.

Free agents are officially eligible to sign their contracts starting with the new league year on March 11 at 4 p.m. ET.

Annual league meeting

March 29-April 1, Phoenix

NFL team owners will gather and vote on various rules and regulations — including (likely)another proposed tush push ban.

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2026 NFL Draft

April 23-25 in Pittsburgh

The NFL's marquee offseason event takes place near Acrisure Field, home of the Steelers, in downtown Pittsburgh. The first round will take place the evening of Thursday, April 23, with Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday, April 24 in the evening and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday starting in the morning.Indiana QB and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is widely expectedto be theNo. 1 overall pick of the Las Vegas Raiders.

NFL rookie minicamps

May 1-4 OR May 8-11

Teams can choose which set of dates they want to hold rookie minicamps, which serve as extended orientations to life as an NFL player and with their particular franchise.

2026 NFL schedule release

Mid-May

The NFL has turned its schedule release into a marquee offseason event unto itself. Certain games and matchups leak in the days and even months leading up to the release (like Rams-49ers in the first-ever Australia game), and opponents home and away are predetermined by division, divisional rotations and previous season finish. But we get the full, final regular season schedule in May.

Spring league meeting

May 19-20, Orlando

NFL team owners convene again for more proposals and potential votes.

Organized team activities (voluntary and mandatory)

Late May through mid-June

Teams usually hold OTAs in two separate sessions, one voluntary and one not. This helps them with the very beginning of personnel evaluation in practice settings as well as playbook installation.

June 1

The famous date of demarcation between pre- and post-June 1 cuts. Teams frequently designate players they're releasing as post-June 1 cuts to spread the cap hit out over two seasons.

Further explanation,via Over The Cap:

For example let's say a player has four years remaining on his contract and $5 million in prorated charges in each of those seasons. If he was cut prior to June 1 that would lead to $20 million in dead money this year. If cut after June 1 the player would instead have just $5 million in dead money in 2023 and now $15 million in 2024. While still the same number over two seasons, the team has an out rather than being stuck due to the salary cap.

Franchise tag signing deadline

July 15, 4 p.m. ET

Any player designated with a franchise tag must sign a multiyear contract or extension by this time, or else they may only sign a one-year contract which cannot be extended until after the last regular season game.

2026 NFL training camps

Teams begin training camp in mid- to late July, with Hall of Fame Game participants usually starting earlier and rookies reporting to some franchise's camps earlier than full squad. Dates and schedules will be released later this offseason.

And with the NBA All-Star break coming up at the end of the week, it will offer teams a bit of a respite and chance to recharge before the grind continues.

The most fascinating teams to watch are the ones who bought before the deadline — the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets, for example — to see whether their moves can lead to tangible gains in the future.

Here areUSA TODAY Sports' NBA power rankings after Week 15 of the 2025-26 regular season:

Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

USA TODAY Sports NBA power rankings

Note:Records and stats through Feb. 8. Parentheses show movement fromlast week's rankings.

NBA Week 16 power rankings: Top 10

1.Detroit Pistons, 38-13 (—)

2.Oklahoma City Thunder, 40-13 (—)

3.San Antonio Spurs, 36-16 (+1)

4.New York Knicks, 34-19 (+5)

5.Boston Celtics, 34-19 (—)

6.Denver Nuggets, 34-19 (-3)

7.Houston Rockets, 32-19 (—)

8.Los Angeles Lakers, 32-19 (—)

9.Cleveland Cavaliers, 32-21 (+1)

10.Toronto Raptors, 32-22 (-4)

The Thunder continue to show vulnerabilities, especially now that reigning Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is set to miss time. Oklahoma City has lost five of its last eight games, including the last two without Gilgeous-Alexander. The Knicks have posted massive victories against the Raptors, Lakers, Nuggets and Celtics over the last week, so they move up, but a loss against Detroit shows why the Pistons remain at the top.

And the Cavaliers, with their fascinating trade for James Harden, now have to back up their decision to go all-in on this build; the Cavs have won eight of their last nine, though the competition hasn't necessarily been that impressive.

NBA Week 16 power rankings: Nos. 11-20

11.Minnesota Timberwolves, 32-22 (+1)

12.Phoenix Suns, 31-22 (+1)

13.Philadelphia 76ers, 30-22 (+1)

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14.Golden State Warriors, 28-25 (-3)

15.Orlando Magic, 27-24 (+4)

16.Los Angeles Clippers, 25-27 (+2)

17.Miami Heat, 28-26 (-2)

18.Charlotte Hornets, 25-28 (+4)

19.Atlanta Hawks, 26-28 (+1)

20.Portland Trail Blazers, 25-28 (-3)

The Timberwolves have lost three of their last four, but they move up a spot mostly because the teams below them haven't necessarily capitalized. Still, defense is a massive concern, as Minnesota ranks 29thin defensive rating (125.5) over its last four games.

The middle of the Eastern Conference is seemingly a group of teams — the Magic, Heat and Hawks — rotating in and out. But it's the hottest team in the NBA, the Charlotte Hornets, who have won nine consecutive games, who are big risers. Charlotte ranks first in offensive rating (120.8) and second in net rating (13.2) over the last nine games.

NBA Week 16 power rankings: Nos. 21-30

21.Chicago Bulls, 24-29 (-5)

22.Milwaukee Bucks, 21-29 (+2)

23.Memphis Grizzlies, 20-31 (—)

24.Dallas Mavericks, 19-33 (-3)

25.Utah Jazz, 16-37 (—)

26.New Orleans Pelicans, 14-40 (—)

27.Brooklyn Nets, 14-37 (—)

28.Washington Wizards, 14-38 (+2)

29.Indiana Pacers, 13-40 (-1)

30.Sacramento Kings, 12-42 (-1)

The Mavericks have gotten excellent performances from Cooper Flagg, but the trade of Anthony Davis signals that rebuild is fully in action. The Bucks got a big win by staying patient in the trading deadline, and the addition of Cam Thomas should bolster scoring. But can the Bucks make a tangible push for the playoffs once Giannis Antetokounmpo returns?

And the poor Kings are in absolute free fall, losers of 12 consecutive games. They struggle to defend, made a head-scratching move before the deadline and simply don't have a tangible direction for their future.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NBA power rankings: Pistons remain in top spot as Knicks make jump

At least 28 shark attacks were reported last year in U.S. waters, according to information gathered by USA TODAY and non-profitsGlobal Shark Attack FileandTrackingSharks.com.

The more than two dozen attacks reported by the organizations are downover the prior year, when 36 people reported being injured by sharks.

TheInternational Shark Attack File, run by theFlorida Museum of Natural History, classifies the attacks asprovoked or unprovokedbased on whether a human initiated the contact.

The Sunshine State tops the 2025 list of U.S. attacks, with 15 reported last year. California followed with four terrifying encounters.

"While sharks may seem frightening, they are vital in keeping our oceans healthy, and the odds of a negative interaction are slim compared to the number of ocean users." Kevin McMurray with Tracking Sharks and a contributing shark attack researcher withISAFtold USA TODAY.

Last year's incidents in America accounted for just over 41% of the world's 68 documented attacks, which included 11 fatalities.

From Hawaii and California to Florida and New York, here's where each attack took place last year across the United States.

Where do shark attacks occur the most in the US?

Florida (15)

Florida leads all 50 states with the highest number of shark attacks documented last year. Shark experts confirmed 15 attacks, but details were not immediately available for five of the incidents, McMurray said.

Reported shark attacks in The Sunshine State are as follows:

Sept. 2, 3:25 p.m.: Key Largo

Richard Burrows, an8-year-old boy, suffered a bite to his upper leg as he snorkled with family near Horseshoe Reef. The boy was taken by medical helicopter to a hospital, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office said in astatement.

Aug. 16, 11 p.m.: Cayo Costa

Lemon shark

Shawn Meuse, 48, sustained serious injuries to his legwhile posing with a shark for a photo. The encounter took place while he and his friends fished on the barrier island in southwest Florida, the Boca Grande District Fire Department reported.

Aug. 2, noon: Pensacola

Chance Armand, 28,told USA TODAYhe was in waters off Pensacola when a shark bit his knee spearfishing offshore Pensacola Pass. Armand said the shark was attempting to grab a fish he shot. Santa Rosa emergency medical services transported him to a hospital to be treated for the injury.

July 22, 2:50 p.m.: Hollywood

Unknown species

A Canadian man in his 40s suffered an injury to his upper arm inchest-deep water with a friendwhen a fish jumped over his head, and he was quickly attacked by a shark. The victim was taken to a hospital to be treated, Hollywood Fire Rescue and Beach Safety said.

July 19, 12:11 p.m.:West Palm Beach

Lemon shark

Jeff Joel, 69, was bitten in the left forearm after he approached a shark while diving with friends in the Jupiter Inlet,The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. The shark had been caught in a fish stringer about 20 feet deep in the ocean.

July 18, noon: New Smyrna Beach

Unknown species

Sam Hollis, an 18-year-old surf instructor,sustained injuries to his footwhile surfing, Volusia County Beach Safety reported. Hollis waspaddling to a sandbarand attempted to jump and push his board over a wave when he was bitten. He was taken to a hospital to be treated.

July 6, 3 p.m.: New Smyrna Beach

Unknown species

A40-year-old mansuffered injuries from a shark bite to his right forearm as he swam in the ocean, Voulsia County Beach Safety said. The man was transported to a hospital for treatment, the Daytona News-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.

Scientists have discovered more than 900 species of sharks and rays and related species

June 11, 12:11 p.m.: Boca Grande

Leah Lindel, a 9-year-old girl, suffered major injuries to her hand while snorkeling with family members . She was taken by medical helicopter to Tampa General Hospital to receive emergency care.

May 27, time unknown: South of Pompano Beach

Unknown species

A 32-year-old woman snorkeling near a pier off Lauderdale-by-the-Sea was bitten in the arm,NBC Miami reported.The woman was in waist-deep water when she spotted bait fish swimming nearby before the attack. She was treated at a hospital, the outlet said.

April 12, 2:48 p.m.: Everglades National Park

Unknown species

A man suffered injuries to the arm and hand in an attack while fishing in Everglades National Park, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reported. The man was airlifted to a hospital to be treated for the injuries.

California (4)

Dec. 21, noon: Monterey Bay

Great white shark

Erica Fox, 55,disappeared swimming in the baywith more than a dozen people. A witness reported they saw a shark breach the waterwith what appeared to be a human body in its mouth. The shark then reportedly submerged below the waterline without resurfacing. Fox's body was found several days later, Pacific Grove Police confirmed.

Dec. 12, 8 a.m.:Bodega Bay

Great white shark

A surfersustained hand injuries at North Salmon Creekin Bodega Bay after a shark reportedly attacked him. The area is just off the Sonoma County coast. The victim declined medical treatment at the scene, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said, but he later transported himself to a hospital.

Sept. 30, 1:20 a.m.:Catalina Island

Great white shark

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Chris Murray, 54, suffered injuries to the hand and foot swimming the Catalina Channel. The victim reported he was attempting to swim between Catalina Island and the Los Angeles County coast when a small great white shark attacked him twice. Los Angeles Police Department first responders transported him to a local hospital.

May 31, 2:30 p.m.: San Mateo Coast

Great white shark

Jens Heller, 42, was tossed off his surfboard by a shark at Montara State Beach. In an interview withSF Gate, he said a shark knocked him off the board and then attacked it as he swam away. Heller was not seriously harmed.

Odds of being killed by a shark

The odds of being killed by a shark in the United States are more than 4 million to 1, according totrackingsharks.com.

Researchers say people are more likely to die by lighting strike (1 in nearly 80,000), accidental poisoning (1 in 193), or a hospital infection (1 in 38).

Hawaii (3)

Dec. 9. 4:30 p.m.: Kahaulu'u Beach

Blacktip reefshark

Josiah Kaimani Ventura, 24, was bitten in one of his thighs in waters off Kona's west shore of the Big Island. He was injured while trying to release a shark stuck in fishing gear and was taken to a hospital to be treated.

Nov. 5, mid afternoon: Hanalei Bay on Kauai

Tiger shark

Chance Swanson, 33, suffered injuries to his legssurfing near Pine Treeson Kauai's North Shore, theKauai Ocean Safety Bureaureported. The victim had a severed artery and was saved by fellow life guards and taken to a hospital to be treated.

Jan. 11, 1:40 p.m.:Town of Haleiwa on Oahu

Unknown species

A 23-year-old tour boat employee in Hawaii was injured by a sharkon the island's North Shore. The man was bitten on the arm and taken to a hospital be treated.

Minnesota woman dies from shark attack in Virgin Islands, police say

South Carolina (2)

June 22, 12:10 p.m.: Sea Pines Beach

Unknown species

A teenage girlsuffered a leg injuryafter being bitten in waters off Beaufort County. The attack took place at Coligny Beach Park.

June 17, 12:07 p.m.: Hilton Head Island

Unknown species

A12-year-old girlwas bitten on her leg in waters off the south end of Hilton Head Island. The girl was transported toHilton Head Island Airport, where a medical helicopter flew her to a Savannah facility for treatment.

Texas (2)

Nov. 5, 4 p.m.: Matagorda Beach

Unknown species

Chuck Bledsoe, 70, suffered injuries to his foot during an attack while fishing at Matagorda Beach. Officials said the injuries weren't major, and he was taken to a local hospital to be treated the next day,The Bay City Tribunereported.

Aug. 30, time unknown:Galveston

Unknown species

Harper Ochoa, 8, sustained injuries to her leg while she swam in waters off Galveston County. The girl was taken to a hospital where her mother said she received 13 staples to her calf area, local TV stationKWTXreported.

North Carolina (2)

July 12, time unknown:Holden Beach

Blacktip reef shark

Ralph Benson, age unknown, was bitten in the lower leg by a small shark "while surf fishing on the west end of Holden Beach," according toan Oak Island, North Carolina, social media post. The man was taken by medical helicopter to a hospital for treatment. The case remained pending, McMurray said.

May 28, 11 a.m.: Sunset Beach

Unknown species

Sean Barton, 26, suffereda leg injury in an attackswimming just south of Ocean Isle Beach. The Sunset Beach Fire Department said crews transported the victim to a medical facility to be treated.

Massachusetts (1)

July 6, unknown time: Nantucket Beach

Sandbar shark

A 21-year-old man suffered injuries to his leg in an attack while fishing at Hoicks Hollow in Nantucket. The victim was taken by medical helicopter to a hospital,according tomultiple reports.

New York (1)

June 26, 4:15 p.m.: Long Island

Sand tiger shark

A 20-year-old woman swimming in shallow water off Jones Beach State Park near Wantagh sustained minor cuts to her foot and leg when she was bitten. She was taken to a hospital to be treated,The New York Timesreported.

They survived shark bitesHere's what they've learned and the wonders they've seen.

How many people are attacked by sharks each year?

According todata fromISAF, the world averages65 documented shark attackseach year.Six fatal attacksare reported annually on average, the data shows.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1rAwdqreAmcvlkHlTuaddhdn7THoIS1c&femb=1&ll=0%2C0&z=1

How to reduce risk of a shark attack

For those who are worried about the risk of an attack, McMurray said to stay in groups near the shore and in areas patrolled by lifeguards. If in a new area, check with locals to find out about rip currents and sea life.

"The chances of encountering a shark while in the water are slim in most areas and often worth the risk as the ocean is a beautiful place worth exploring and enjoying," McMurray said. "If you see a shark, face it and stay as calm as possible as you slowly swim away, avoiding splashing."

Other tips include:

• Do not enter water where people are fishing.

• Do not enter water with an injury, especially if you are bleeding.

• Avoid wearing shiny jewelry. It can catch sunlight and glint, much like the fish that sharks prey upon.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:How many shark attacks were there in the US last year? See list

DC Healthsaid three people infected with measles visited various locations in Washington, D.C. between Jan. 21 and Feb. 2, including the annual anti-abortion march. The rally reportedly drew thousands of attendees including Vice PresidentJD Vance, Speaker of the HouseMike Johnsonand other members of Congress.

Other potential measles exposure sites include major transit hubs like Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Union Station as well as the Catholic University of America and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Children's National Hospital said in astatementthat a Virginia resident who was diagnosed with measles visited its emergency department on Feb. 2.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes. The disease can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, swelling of the brain and death.

Dr. Oz:'Take the vaccine, please' amid measles outbreaks

Measles was eliminated in the United States by 2000 but has resurfaced in periodic outbreaks, mostly among people who are not vaccinated. There have been two new outbreaks and more than 730 confirmed cases of measles reported in 2026 as of Feb. 5,according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention..

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March for Life: See photos from the anti-abortion march in Washington

Health officialsin Washington state onJan. 16 confirmed an outbreakconnected to a family traveling from South Carolina, wherea major outbreakhas been brewing. Los Angeles County public health officials recently confirmedthree measles cases involving people who had traveled internationally, including one who flew into Los Angeles International Airport and visited Disneyland Resort.

Those incidents come after measles cases reached the highest level seen in over three decades in 2025, according to CDC data. There were at least three deaths related to measles that year, the first documented in a decade.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator, and Health and Human Services SecretaryRobert F. Kennedy Jr.have urged Americans to get the measles vaccineas cases spread.

DC Health said it is reaching out to people who may have been exposed. Health officials urged anyone who was exposed and never received a measles-containing vaccine to contact their health care provider or DC Health and watch for symptoms for at least 21 days after their exposure.

Contributing:Sara Moniuszko

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:March for Life attendees may have been exposed to measles