With all the national media attention regarding measles, I wanted to bring this to the forefront and discuss the statistics, symptoms, complications and the guidelines on whether or not you need a booster vaccine (per CDC).
Current measles cases have reached around 700 in 25 states with Texas reporting the majority of them with 541 cases. Other states reported with active outbreaks include OKLAHOMA. The Oklahoma outbreak so far (as of April 11) has 9 confirmed cases and 3 probable cases.
READ ON to learn about everything measles…
History of measles:
The measles vaccination program began in 1963 and led to a 99% reduction of cases in the US of and was declared “eliminated” in 2000. Prior to the vaccine an estimated 2.6 million deaths occurred each year worldwide due to measles. Measles however remained common in developing countries but due to global efforts data from 2023 showed an estimated 107.500 people died from measles (mostly children less than 5). Global efforts continued to decrease the measles deaths and cases but COVID delayed vaccinations in the US and developing countries contributing to an 18% rise in cases and 43% increase in deaths.
Current data
As of April 10,2025 CDC reported a total of 712 measles cases. 98% are in the unvaccinated or unknown category or single vaccinated population and 2% having had two MMR doses. So far in 2025 there have been 7 outbreaks (meaning spread to other people) with 93% of the cases being associated with the outbreak. In contrast there were 16 outbreaks reported during 2024 with only 285 cases and 69% of the cases being outbreak associated.
In 2019 nearly 1300 cases were reported in 31 US states seemingly and the majority were in un- or under-vaccinated individuals.
How it is Spread:
Transmission occurs via respiratory droplets that are airborne or on surfaces. Measles can live on a surface for up to 2 hours. Infected people are usually contagious BEFORE they develop symptoms.
Symptoms:
Measles symptoms appear about 7-14 days after exposure and initial symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis (eyes). Small spots inside the mouth that are red with a bluish-white center (Koplik spots) can also be seen and are considered classic for measles but don’t occur in everyone. After 3-7 days of the initial symptoms the measles rash will appear usually starting on the face at the hairline and spreading down toward the neck, trunk and limbs. Fever may continue and can spike above 104 degrees F. After a few days the fever will resolve and the rash will fade. The rash typically lasts 4-7 days, cough may persist 1-2 weeks.
Other symptoms can occur including diarrhea, ear infections, pneumonia, blindness and neurological complications including brain inflammation (encephalitis) which is very serious and can lead to brain damage or death. Lung infections can also lead to serious illness.
August 2023, over 40% of children with measles were hospitalized. It is estimated that 1 out of every 1000 will develop acute brain inflammation. In addition, 1-3 of every 1000 children will die of respiratory and neurologic complications.
If you have any of these symptoms you are highly contagious and need to be isolated!
Risk of severe illness and complications:
High risk of severe illness and complications include these populations:
- Children under 5
- Pregnant women
- Malnourished children
- Immunocompromised individuals
Diagnosis:
Symptoms that align with measles leads to testing in blood. Blood work looking at immunoglobulin (IgM or rising IgG) for measles is the traditional diagnostic test and can be done at any lab.
Treatment:
If you get measles the treatment is mainly supportive. However, the World Health Organization recommends two doses of vitamin A supplements every 24 hours apart for all children with an active infection. Consult your physician for dosing and recommendations!
Are you at risk?
The current vaccine is the MMR (mumps, measles, rubella) or MMRV which includes varicella.
- Born prior to 1957: Often presumed to have natural immunity due to previous measles exposure which provides life-long immunity.
- Vaccinated prior to 1968: If you received an Inactivated (killed) vaccine, you may need a booster. If you received two doses of the MMR or MMRV vaccine you are considered fully vaccinated and CDC considers this to provide lifelong immunity. If you received only one dose then you may need a booster.
- Look at your vaccine record – if you received the inactivated form it will have a written “inactivated” next to the MMR or MMRV notation.
- After 1968: if you received two doses of MMR or MMRV then you are considered to have lifelong immunity.
Current presumptive evidence of immunity include:
- Lab evidence of antibodies
- Birth prior to 1957
- Infants aged 6-11 months with document of one measles vaccine
- Persons aged 12 months or older with documented receipt of two doses
If you aren’t sure if you have been vaccinated you can test for antibodies in your blood work to see if you have immunity. Labcorp has a self-ordered Immunity test to see if you are still immune for $129. This is NOT to diagnose an active infection. Here is the labcorp link for your information, you do not need a physicians order to do this test thru them.
To your health,
Laura
