Wondering About the Measles Outbreak?

As of March 6, 2025, a total of 222 measles cases were reported by 12 jurisdictions in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington. There have been 3 outbreaks (defined as 3 or more related cases) reported in the first two months of 2025, and 93% of cases (207 of 222) are outbreak-associated

Measles is an airborne, extremely infectious, and potentially severe rash illness. Before the measles vaccine was introduced, an estimated 48,000 people were hospitalized and 400–500 people died in the United States each year.  Measles is not a seasonal virus. However, measles is often spread over times of high travel (like spring break) or in situations where unvaccinated persons are in close quarters (like summer camp). Measles can live in the air for 2 hours after an infectious person leaves the space.

Why are there more cases of measles now?

• Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000 as a result of a very high percentage of people receiving the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. In recent years, however: U.S. MMR coverage among kindergarteners is now below the 95% coverage target—much lower in some communities—and is decreasing.
• Global measles activity is increasing, meaning more chances of an unvaccinated person infected with measles abroad returning to the United States.

Source:  More information is available on the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/history.html#elimination

Vaccines are Available and Effective

MMR vaccine is very effective at protecting people against measles, mumps, and rubella, and preventing the complications caused by these diseases. People who receive MMR vaccination according to the U.S. vaccination schedule are usually considered protected for life against measles and rubella. While MMR provides effective protection against mumps for most people, immunity against mumps may decrease over time and some people may no longer be protected against mumps later in life. An additional dose may be needed if you are at risk because of a mumps outbreak. One dose of MMR vaccine is 93% effective against measles, 78% effective against mumps, and 97% effective against rubella.

Two doses of MMR vaccine are 97% effective against measles and 88% effective against mumps. Immunity against mumps may decrease over time and some people may no longer be protected against mumps later in life. An additional dose may be needed if you are at risk because of a mumps outbreak. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/mmr-vaccine

Risk/Benefits/Side Effects of MMR Vaccine

What are the benefits of the MMR vaccine?

The MMR vaccine reduces your risk of getting measles, mumps and rubella. These are all highly contagious viral infections that can cause serious, life-threatening health conditions.

What are potential MMR vaccine side effects?

The MMR vaccine has the possibility of side effects. Side effects that typically don’t require medical attention include:

• Aches and pains at the injection site.
• Bruising, redness and swelling at the injection site.
• Fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius) or less.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Swollen glands (lymph nodes).

Although rare, the MMR vaccine has the possibility of more serious side effects, including a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Symptoms of an allergic reaction include skin rash, itching or hives, and swelling of your face, lips or tongue. Other serious side effects of the MMR vaccine may include:

• Breathing problems.
• Changes in hearing.
• Vision changes.
• Difficulty walking.
• Extreme changes in behavior.
• Fast, irregular heartbeat.
• Fever over 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C).
• Pain, tingling or numbness in your hands or feet.
• Unusual bleeding or bruising.
• Feeling unusually weak or tired.

Source: More information is available on the Cleveland Clinic website: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/mmr-vaccine

What is Being Sick with the Measles Like?

Measles isn’t just a little rash. Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children. Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Measles typically begins with:

• High fever (may spike to more than 104°)
• Cough
• Runny nose (coryza)
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
• 2–3 days after symptoms begin: Koplik spots
• Tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin.

Measles Rash. Measles rash appears 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms. It usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline. They then spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet. Small, raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots. The spots may become joined together as they spread from the head to the rest of the body. When the rash appears, a person’s fever may spike to more than 104° Fahrenheit.

Who is at Risk? Measles can be serious in all age groups. However, there are several groups that are more likely to suffer from measles complications:

• Children younger than 5 years of age
• Adults older than 20 years of age
• Pregnant women
• People with weakened immune systems, such as from leukemia or HIV infection

Complications. Common complications from measles are:

• Ear infections occur in about 1 out of every 10 children with measles.
• Diarrhea is reported in less than 1 out of 10 people with measles.

Severe Complications in Children and Adults. Some people may suffer from severe complications, such as pneumonia (infection of the lungs) and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). They may need to be hospitalized and could die.

• About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the U.S. who get measles is hospitalized.
• As many as 1 out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children.
• About 1 child out of every 1,000 who get measles will develop encephalitis (swelling of the brain). This can lead to convulsions and leave the child deaf or with intellectual disability.
• One to three of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.
• Complications during pregnancy. If you are pregnant and have not had the MMR vaccine, measles may cause birth prematurely or have a low-birth-weight baby.