Measles is an infection caused by a highly infectious virus that primarily affects unvaccinated children and adults. It is spread by droplets from sneezing or coughing. Droplets can remain airborne for more than two hours, even when the infected person is no longer in the area. Surfaces can also be contaminated and picked up on your hands and transferred to the mucous membranes of the eyes and mouth.

Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, rash (Koplik spots) and red eyes (“pink eye”) or conjunctivitis. These symptoms and signs appear generally eight to 12 days after exposure. Other associated conditions include ear infections, pneumonia and diarrhea. A serious complication is acute encephalitis, which can cause permanent neurologic and respiratory injuries and death.

If you were born before 1957, most people had measles and are considered immune. Because of a highly effective public health program in 1990s to immunize children and adults with the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine by the year 2000, these infections were considered eliminated.

Most of us have been reading about the growing spread of measles, which started in Texas and is now spreading south and up into the Northeast. While there are no confirmed cases of measles in Sullivan County, NY so far, local public health officials are advising health care providers and summer camp operators to be aware of recent measles cases in neighboring Orange County. 

It is conjectured that the new cases were brought into the U.S. by young children who were too young for MMR vaccinations. Children and adults who were unvaccinated quickly became infected. By mid-March there 301 cases of measles reported with two deaths.This exceeded the total cases for all of 2024. 

The CDC reports as of May 15 that a total of 1,024 confirmed measles cases were reported by 31 jurisdictions, including New York State, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 

Fortunately for most people who become infected, it is not life-threatening. Before the MMR vaccine, there were 500 deaths each year from measles, and now it is totally preventable. Recently, varicella (chickenpox) has been added to the MMR formula. MMR or MMRV should be given to children at 12-14 months of age and again close to the time that children are going to school (four to six years of age).

Who should get MMR vaccinations:

For older children and adults, CDC recommends the vaccine for:

Students at post-high school educational institutions

Health care personnel

International travelers

Women of childbearing age, before they get pregnant

Groups at increased risk for mumps because of a community outbreak

People who should not get the MMR:

Those who had allergic reactions to prior MMR or MMRV vaccinations

Those who might be pregnant

People with immune system diseases

Those who have had recent blood transfusions—wait for the M.D. to advise

People who have tuberculosis

Those who have a history of seizures

To document immunity:

For places that require documentation of immunity, one of the following should be provided:

Written documentation from a physician, public health nurse of two MMR or MMRV vaccines

Laboratory evidence of immunity

Birth of person before 1957

Health care workers born before 1957 who do not show immunity should get two MMR vaccines.

Treatment if you are ill with measles:

Contact your doctor’s office if you are suspicious that you or a family member has a measles infection. Do not just show up without calling first.

Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen to lower fever. Avoid aspirin.

Use cool mist to soothe cough.

Drink fluids.

Remain isolated from family and work for at least four days after the rash appears.

Limit activities. Rest.

Avoid taking cod liver oil and other home remedies. If you want to use vitamin A, use only low-dose multivitamin-strength vitamin.

Antibiotics will not treat a virus. If you have an indication of pneumonia your doctor can prescribe them.

My recommendation is that if you are unaware of your measles status, you should contact your doctor’s office. MMR/MMRV vaccines provide adequate protect regardless of your age and have few side effects. 

Measles is considered a dangerous infection that can lead to serious health problems. Immunization is a very effective prevention if you or a family member do not have adequate protection.

At some point we will have documented measles in our community.