Communities nationwide are battling the spread of measles, a highly contagious respiratory virus that can cause severe health issues.

More than 900 cases have been confirmed in 29 states since May 2025, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This already exceeds the total number of known cases in 2024.

Measles is preventable by a safe and effective vaccine.  However, decreasing vaccination rates are allowing the spread of this formerly eliminated virus.

Each documented case has been a person who is unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best way to protect against the spread of measles. 

Measles can be deadly

The virus spreads through the air when people cough or sneeze, and it can survive for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.  Each infected person infects an average of 18 more people, which allows cases to skyrocket quickly.  Children younger than 5 or adults older than 20, pregnant women, and/or people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of severe complications from measles.

Symptoms of exposure include:

• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red/watery eyes
• A measles rash

The measles rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading. Measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years old, including ear infections and diarrhea, pneumonia, or swelling of the brain (encephalitis) that can lead to brain damage, stroke, or death. Even if the person survives the initial measles infection, it can cause long term health problems that don’t present for many years later and can be deadly. Protect yourself with the vaccine.

The best way to protect against measles is with the MMR vaccine. The vaccine is safe and effective.

The CDC recommends all children get two doses of the MMR vaccine, first at 12 -15 months of age, and second at 4-6 years of age. These vaccines usually protect people for life against measles. Vaccines and high rates of vaccination make dangerous diseases like measles much less common.  Children under the age of 12 months can be given the vaccine if they live in an area with an active outbreak.

There is no link between this vaccine and autism.

It is safe for breastfeeding women to receive MMR vaccination. Breastfeeding does not interfere with the response to the vaccine and the baby will not be affected by the vaccine through breast milk.

Some vaccinated people may still get measles if they are exposed to the viruses. However, symptoms are generally milder in vaccinated people. They are also less likely to spread the disease to other people.

Vaccine side effects, if any, are usually mild and resolve on their own. These may include soreness, redness, or swelling where the vaccine was given, fever, mild rash, or temporary joint pain and stiffness.

Treating measles in the emergency department

Emergency physicians play a key role in identifying and preventing measles. Physicians on the frontlines may be the first point of contact for patients with measles symptoms. 

Emergency physicians will report suspected measles cases to local health departments, help educate patients about vaccines and post-exposure safety measures, and work with public health authorities to monitor and prevent this highly infectious virus.

Patients who present to the emergency department with symptoms of an infectious disease like influenza, measles, or COVID are identified quickly and asked to wear masks and may be seated away from patients without these symptoms to decrease the risk of transmission.  This helps keep all patients who come to the emergency department safe.

The best protection against infectious diseases like measles are getting your vaccinations as recommended, covering your cough, isolating at home if you are sick, and washing your hands often.