News Release

U.S. Reports Greatest Number of Measles Since 1994

Date: May 28, 2019
Contact: Maria Said, 202-513-7151

The United States is currently experiencing the greatest number of reported measles cases since 1994. Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that causes fever and rash and spreads through mouth secretions or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus may remain in the air for up to two hours. It can cause serious health complications and is especially dangerous for babies and young children.

As of May 10, 2019, 23 states have reported over 800 cases, compared to approximately 220 annually during the previous 9 years. Multiple areas are experiencing measles outbreaks, in which the initial infections have been linked to international travelers and have spread within the U.S. when they reach communities where groups of people are unvaccinated. The majority of people who have gotten measles have been unvaccinated. The best protection against measles is the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. The vaccine is safe and effective.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers you protected from measles if you have written documentation (records) showing at least one of the following:

• You received two doses of measles-containing vaccine, and you:

  • Are a school-aged child (grades K-12)

  • Are an adult who will be in a setting that poses a high risk for measles transmission, including students at post-high school education institutions, healthcare personnel, and international travelers.

• You received one dose of measles-containing vaccine, and you:

  • Are a preschool-aged child

  • Are an adult who will not be in a high-risk setting for measles transmission.

  • Have laboratory confirmation that you had measles at some point in your life

  • Have laboratory evidence of immunity

  • Were born before 1957.

Recommendations:

• If you are not protected yet against measles, we urge you to get vaccinated. For most adults, one dose of MMR vaccine is considered sufficient, and most people will have received this if they received the standard childhood vaccines recommended in the U.S.

• If you live/work in a high-risk setting, including emergency medical service personnel or other healthcare providers, we recommend that if you don’t have laboratory confirmation of previous measles infection or laboratory evidence of immunity, you receive two doses of MMR vaccine. Most people will already have received the first dose in childhood. If not, the two doses should be separated by at least 28 days.

Additional Information:

• The CDC website on measles.

• The NPS Office of Public Health Measles FAQs.