By Annette Pinder

So far this year, a total of 320 cases of measles have been reported in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, and Washington; 277 of which occurred in New Mexico and Texas. One school-aged child has died, and 50 people have been hospitalized.

The rise in measles cases is primarily due to declining vaccination rates. Several key factors contribute to this trend:

  • Vaccine Hesitancy & Misinformation. Misinformation about vaccine safety, particularly spread through social media, has led some parents to skip or delay their children’s vaccinations.
  • Disruptions from COVID-19. The pandemic caused delays in routine childhood immunizations, leading to a growing number of unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children.
  • Increased Global Travel. Measles is highly contagious and can easily spread across borders. International travelers from regions with outbreaks can bring the virus to communities with lower vaccination rates.
  • Gaps in Health Care Access. Some communities, especially in lower-income or remote areas, have difficulty accessing vaccines due to economic, geographic, or systemic barriers.
  • Lower Community Immunity (Herd Immunity). Measles requires at least 95% of the population to be vaccinated to prevent outbreaks. When this threshold drops, the virus spreads more easily.

To prevent measles within your community, consider these guidelines:

  • Get Vaccinated. The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is highly effective (97% after two doses). Children should get their first dose at 12-15 months and the second at 4-6 years. If you had measles as a child, you typically do not need the MMR vaccine because having measles usually provides lifelong immunity. If you were told you had measles but never had lab confirmation, you may want to get a blood test to check for immunity (measles IgG antibody test). If you were born after 1957 and unsure as to whether you had measles, the CDC recommends getting vaccinated for protection. If you were born before 1957, you are presumed to be immune, as measles was so widespread.
  • Stay Informed & Combat Misinformation. Trust reliable sources like the CDC, WHO, and your local health department. If you encounter vaccine misinformation, share accurate information with friends and family.
  • Be Cautious When Traveling. Measles outbreaks are occurring worldwide, so ensure you’re vaccinated before traveling. Infants as young as 6 months can get an early dose if traveling to high-risk areas.
  • Recognize Symptoms Early. Measles starts with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, followed by a rash that spreads from the face down the body. It’s highly contagious before symptoms appear, so early action is critical.
  • Reduce Spread if Exposed. If exposed, quarantine and contact your doctor immediately. Avoid public spaces, especially infants, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals.

Complications from Measles.

A small number of people who get measles will need to be hospitalized and could die. Many have complications, such as diarrhea and ear infections. Severe complications include pneumonia and brain swelling. Long term serious complications can include subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a brain infection that can lead to permanent brain damage. Additionally, Measles during pregnancy increases the risk of early labor, miscarriage, and low birth weight infants.

Is there a treatment for measles?

There is currently no treatment for measles, but acetaminophen and ibuprofen may be taken to reduce a fever. People with measles also need bed rest and fluids. They also may need treatment for complications such as diarrhea, an ear infection or pneumonia.

Do I have to take the measles vaccine in combination with Mumps and Rubella?

In the U.S., the measles vaccine is only available as part of the combined MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) or MMRV (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella) vaccines. There is no single-antigen measles vaccine available.

Can the MMR vaccine cause autism?

No, the MMR vaccine does not cause autism. This claim originated from a fraudulent study published in 1998 by Andrew Wakefield, which was completely debunked and retracted due to ethical violations and falsified data. Multiple large-scale studies have found no connection between the MMR vaccine and autism. Parents who wish to space vaccines out should talk to their pediatricians. Spacing vaccines out may make your child more vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases during the time between doses.

Learn more about measles at www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/measles. Ensuring that you and your child are vaccinated not only protects you, but also contributes to the health and safety of those around you.