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RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced a confirmed case of measles (rubeola) in a child in Mecklenburg County. This is the first measles case reported in North Carolina since 2018. The child was likely exposed to measles while traveling out of the country. Fortunately, the parents kept the child at home after returning to North Carolina except for one medical visit, during which appropriate precautions were taken to avoid spreading the virus. To protect patient privacy, no further information about the patient will be shared. NCDHHS’ Division of Public Health is working closely with the Mecklenburg County Health Department to ensure readiness to detect and respond to other possible measles cases or exposures.

Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been, even up to two hours after that person has left. Measles can cause serious health complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis, especially in children younger than 5 years old. Measles begins with a fever that lasts for a couple of days, followed by a cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis (pink eye). A rash starts on the face and upper neck, spreads down the back and trunk, then extends to the arms and hands as well as the legs and feet. After about five days, the rash begins to fade. Individuals should stay at home when sick, and should call ahead when possible before seeking medical attention to help prevent spread of the virus. Providers should contact their local health department as soon as measles is suspected.

To protect your children, yourself and others in the community, it is important to be vaccinated against measles. Children who are not traveling internationally should receive their first dose of MMR vaccine at age 12 to 15 months and their second dose at 4 to 6 years. All U.S. residents older than age 6 months without evidence of immunity who are planning to travel internationally should receive MMR vaccine prior to departure.

• Infants aged 6 through 11 months should receive one dose of MMR vaccine before departure
• Children aged 12 months or older should receive two doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days
• Teenagers and adults without evidence of measles immunity should receive two doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days

“Measles is on the rise globally and in the U.S.,” said State Health Director and NCDHHS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Elizabeth Cuervo-Tilson. “Parents, schools, early childhood education providers and health care providers should work to ensure everyone is up to date with their measles vaccinations.”

“Measles infections are preventable. Most Mecklenburg County residents are vaccinated against measles and are not at high risk,” said Mecklenburg County Public Health Director Dr. Raynard Washington. “This case further demonstrates the critical need for all families to ensure their kids are up to date with measles and other childhood immunizations.”

The increased number of measles cases in the U.S. this year is reflective of a rise in global measles cases and a growing global threat from the disease.

According to CDC’s Kindergarten immunization coverage estimates, 94% of North Carolina Kindergarteners were up to date on the MMR vaccine in the ’22-’23 school year, compared to 93% nationally. While statewide coverage remains high, it is important to note that coverage levels vary locally, with some counties and schools having lower vaccination coverage that leaves them at higher risk for a measles outbreak. You can find information on vaccine rates at state, county and school levels on the Kindergarten Immunization Dashboard.

Children who are uninsured can still be vaccinated at low or no cost through the Vaccines for Children program, which offers free vaccines to children through 19 years of age.