Measles is a highly contagious virus. If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected. Measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years old. The best protection against measles is the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The MMR vaccine provides long-lasting protection against all strains of measles.
Signs & Symptoms
Symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Common symptoms include:
High fever (may spike to more than 104°F)
Cough
Runny nose
Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
Rash
Measles is very contagious. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been. This can happen even up to 2 hours after that person has left.
Prevention
Protect yourself with the vaccine. The best way to protect against measles is with the MMR vaccine. The MMR is safe and effective. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective.
Current Outbreak
As of February 20, 2025, there were a total of 93 measles cases reported by 8 different states: Alaska, California, Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, and Texas. A breakdown of the cases can be seen below:
Age
Under 5 years: 28 (30%)
5-19 years: 48 (52%)
20+ years: 15 (16%)
Age unknown: 2 (2%)
Vaccination Status
Unvaccinated or Unknown: 95%
One MMR dose: 4%
Two MMR doses: 0%
25% of the cases (23 of 93) were hospitalized for isolation or for management of measles complications.
Percent of Age Group Hospitalized
Under 5 years: 43% (12 of 28)
5-19 years: 17% (8 of 48)
20+ years: 13% (2 of 15)
Age unknown: 50% (1 of 2)
Resources
Última actualización:
2/28/25, 4:15 PM
Última actualización:
2/28/25, 4:15 PM
Última actualización:
2/28/25, 4:15 PM