News — A case of measles in a child was confirmed in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, on March 2 ─ the first reported case in the state in 2025. Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 164 measles cases in nine states. Texas alone has seen at least 140 cases since late January, including one unvaccinated child who died.
Measles is a preventable, highly contagious, airborne virus that can cause serious health complications, including death, especially in children under 5.
“Measles is a very serious illness. It’s one of the most infectious of the infectious diseases,” said , division chief of pediatric infectious diseases at . “If you put a person with measles in a room with 100 unimmunized people, 90 will get it.”
Measles on the rise
Measles was officially eliminated from the United States in 2000 due to the effectiveness of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine ─ as well as strong public health initiatives. However, cases have been rising since 2016 due to declining vaccination rates, McSherry said.
Worldwide, an estimated 10.3 million cases of measles were reported in 2023, a 20% increase from 2022, according to the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2023, measles caused 105,500 deaths globally, the CDC reported.
Outbreaks still occur in the United States because measles is commonly transmitted in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Travelers bring it into the U.S., where it spreads to unimmunized children and adults.
Can you prevent measles?
The measles vaccine is 97% effective, which makes it one of the most effective vaccines. The CDC recommends children get two MMR doses, starting at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years.
“Vaccination against measles is very safe and very effective,” McSherry said.
How does measles spread?
Measles spreads by:
- Airborne transmission when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes
- Touching a contaminated surface or object and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes
The virus lingers in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. Symptoms usually appear seven to 14 days after exposure. A person with measles is contagious for about eight days, from four days before the rash appears until four days after.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms include:
- Fever (100.4°F or higher) lasting several days
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
Even mild cases can be miserable, according to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, with sensitivity to light, dehydration, pneumonia and a rash. The measles rash starts as flat, red spots on the face, spreading down over the body.
Although most people recover from measles, about one in four will be hospitalized, and one or two in 1,000 will die. Complications include pneumonia (the most common cause of death from measles) and encephalitis, brain swelling that can lead to convulsions or long-term disabilities. Measles usually lasts 10 to 14 days but can extend up to 21 days.
Who's at risk?
People most at risk include:
- Unvaccinated individuals
- Those with weakened immune systems
- Pregnant women
- Children under five
- Adults over 30
Do I need a measles booster?
Most vaccinated adults are immune to measles. If you were born before 1957, you likely had measles and developed lifelong immunity.
If you were vaccinated between 1968 and 1989, you likely received just one dose of the measles vaccine, instead of the two doses that are standard today. One dose usually provides enough protection, but the CDC recommends a second dose for high-risk adults, including health care workers, college students, people with weakened immune systems and those in close contact with them, and people who travel internationally.
“If you’re not sure whether you were fully vaccinated, you should contact your physician,” McSherry said.
How is measles treated?
“There is no treatment for measles,” said McSherry. Symptoms can be managed by:
- Taking acetaminophen or NSAIDs for aches, pains or fever
- Getting plenty of rest
- Drinking lots of fluids
- Gargling with salt water for throat relief
People with measles should isolate for four days after their rash appears to prevent spreading the virus.
On Feb. 27, the CDC issued a statement on the current measles outbreak, noting that supportive care, including physician-directed vitamin A administration, may be appropriate. While vitamin A can help lessen the severity of the illness, it isn’t a substitute for prevention, McSherry said.
“Vitamin A can reduce illness and death but does not eliminate them, while the vaccine prevents infection entirely, protecting against severe disease and death.”
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