What to know about measles symptoms as it spreads across US
Measles often appears in two stages. If you or your child develops these symptoms, especially with recent travel or exposure, contact your health care provider immediately.
- Massachusetts health officials confirmed two cases of measles in the state for 2026.
- One adult resident was diagnosed after returning from international travel and may have exposed others.
- A second case involves a school-age resident who was diagnosed and remains out of state.
- Health officials state the best protection against the highly contagious virus is the MMR vaccine.
Massachusetts health officials have confirmed two Massachusetts residents have been diagnosed with measles and said one resident has “visited several locations where exposures to others likely occurred.”
The adult, who is identified as living in Greater Boston, “returned from international travel and had an uncertain vaccination history,” reads a statement from the health department. “During their infectious period, the individual visited several locations where exposures to others likely occurred. State and local public health officials are working with these locations to identify and notify those who were potentially exposed.”
The second person with the diagnosis is a school-age resident “who was exposed and diagnosed out of state and remains out of state during the infectious period. There are no known exposures to others in Massachusetts.”
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued the release on Friday, Feb. 27, calling the cases the first in the state for 2026. Nationwide there is a broader measles outbreak.
“Our first two measles cases in 2026 demonstrate the impact that the measles outbreaks, nationally and internationally, can have here at home. Fortunately, thanks to high vaccination rates, the risk to most Massachusetts residents remains low,” in a written statement Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein said. “Measles is the most contagious respiratory virus and can cause life-threatening illness. These cases are a reminder of the need for health care providers and local health departments to remain vigilant for cases so that appropriate public health measures can be rapidly employed to prevent spread in the state. This is also a reminder that getting vaccinated is the best way for people to protect themselves from this disease.”
As of the middle of February there were 20 states reporting measles cases in 2026: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina (the epicenter of the outbreak), South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
Why is measles so contagious?
Measles is considered one of the most contagious diseases. It can linger in the air, infecting nonimmune people hours after an infected person leaves the room. How the measles virus compares with other infectious diseases:
In the U.S., about one in five unvaccinated people who contract measles are hospitalized. As many as three of every 1,000 children infected with the disease die, according to the CDC.
What are they symptoms of measles
- Early symptoms of measles occur 10 days to two weeks after exposure and may resemble a cold (cough, runny nose and red eyes), usually with fever.
- A rash occurs two to four days after the initial symptoms develop.
- The rash usually appears first on the head and then moves downward. The rash typically lasts a few days and then disappears in the same order.
- People with measles may be contagious up to four days before the rash appears and four days after the day the rash appears.
- Measles is a potentially serious illness, with complications occurring in approximately 30% of infected individuals, including immune suppression, pneumonia, diarrhea and encephalitis, which may be life-threatening.
What should I do if I think I have measles?
Those who were exposed to measles and develop symptoms should call their health care provider before visiting an office, clinic or emergency department, according to the state health department.
“Visiting a health care facility without calling in advance may put others at risk and should be avoided. Anyone who has had measles in the past or has received two doses of the vaccine is unlikely to develop measles, even if exposed,” says the state health department.
What about the measles vaccine
People who have had measles or who have been vaccinated against measles per the Department of Public Health’s guidance for vaccines are considered immune.
The Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine offers the best protection against measles and the serious complications associated with infection. The Department of Public Health recommendations for the MMR vaccination are:
- Children: Children should receive their firstdose of the MMR vaccine at 12-15 months. School-aged children need two doses of the MMR vaccine.
- Adults: Adults should have at least one dose of the MMR vaccine. Certain groups at high risk need two doses of the MMR vaccine, such as international travelers, health care workers and college students. Adults born in the U.S. before 1957 are considered immune to measles from past exposures.
For additional information, contact your local health department or state Department of Public Health at 617-983-6800. To learn more about measles, visit the DPH website.
