Category: Measles

More Illness: Greater Cost

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The Common Health Coalition has published its Spotlight Brief on the cost of Childhood Immunizations. Summary: This brief demonstrates how declines in childhood vaccination will carry substantial human and economic consequences, using measles as a case study. The modeling analysis, conducted by the Yale School of Public Health, finds that a sustained 1% annual decline in MMR vaccine coverage could lead to more than 17,000 measles cases, 4,000 hospitalizations, and 36 preventable deaths each year, while adding billions in avoidable costs across the US health system and economy by 2030. Read the Brief

DPH Reports Measles Exposure at Nemours ED

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DOVER, Del. (Feb.20, 2026) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is reporting a measles exposure at the Nemours Children’s Hospital emergency department in Wilmington on February 18, 2026. Contact tracing is ongoing. DPH will notify persons who were identified as exposed, to confirm whether or not they have been vaccinated against measles before, provide educational resources, and to recommend quarantine and exclusion orders when necessary. DPH encourages people who were exposed to check their vaccination status and watch for symptoms for 21 days until March 11, 2026. Pregnant people — regardless of vaccination status — who may have Read More …

Canada Loses Measles Elimination Status

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Canada has formally lost its measles elimination status, the country’s public health agency announced Monday, meaning all of the Americas have lost that status as well. The decision, which was widely expected, comes after a meeting last week where an expert committee of the Pan American Health Organization determined that a large measles outbreak that began in Canada in October 2024 was still ongoing, more than 12 months after it started. It is reversible – if the country sees zero cases of measles in the next 12 months. However, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, Paraguay, and the US are currently battling ongoing measles Read More …

KFF: As Measles Exploded, Officials in Texas Looked to CDC Scientists.

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Amy Maxmen, August 25, 2025. As measles surged in Texas early this year, the Trump administration’s actions sowed fear and confusion among CDC scientists that kept them from performing the agency’s most critical function — emergency response — when it mattered most, an investigation from KFF Health News shows. The report details multiple crises, both in Texas, where health facilities became overwhelmed and misinformation surged, all while federal health agencies faced communications crackdowns, stalled reports, and staff and budget cuts. Texas officials only heard from the CDC after a child died on February 26, meanwhile the outbreaks spread to five Read More …

Texas Announces End of West Texas Measles Outbreak

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The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting the end of this year’s measles outbreak centered in West Texas. It has been more than 42 days since a new case was reported in any of the counties that previously showed evidence of ongoing transmission. DSHS will continue to monitor for new cases but will cease updating the interactive outbreak dashboard. Read more

Measles Cases Reach Highest Since Elimination

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Over the weekend, the US reached 1,281 measles cases in 2025 – the highest number since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000, and the most we’ve seen since 1992 (2,126 cases). Thanks to high vaccination rates, we’ve managed to keep the disease at bay, but those rates are slipping. Since measles is the most contagious virus on Earth (that we know of), it’s often the first to resurge when vaccination coverage declines. A high case count doesn’t automatically mean the US loses its measles elimination status. That is defined by the WHO, and means that measles is not endemic Read More …

DPH Provides Recommendations to Protect Yourself and Your Children From Measles

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CONTACT: Laura Matusheski, Media Relations CoordinatorEmail: DPHMedia@delaware.gov DOVER, Del. (March 20, 2025) – With the recent increase in measles cases throughout the United States, the Delaware Division of Public (DPH) has received requests for information on how Delawareans can protect themselves from the measles virus. As advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to protect against measles remains vaccination. The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, often referred to as the MMR vaccine, is safe and highly effective, with one dose being 93% effective and two doses being 97% effective against measles. Children 12 months of Read More …

Hot Topic: Measles Cases on the Rise

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Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 6:00 pm The Medical Society of Delaware is presenting this online CME event. The recent surge in measles cases is a cause for concern. Join us for an educational session to learn about the outbreak and the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of this highly contagious disease. Speaker Dr. Stephen C. Eppes, MD; Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist Register

Free Event: Measles in a Time of Uncertainty

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Measles in a Time of Uncertainty: What to Tell Your Patients Thursday, March 27, 2025 from 7:00 – 8:00 pm EDT Measles is surging—are you ready to diagnose, manage, and protect your patients? The US eliminated measles—or so we thought. But now, outbreaks are back, fueled by declining vaccination rates, misinformation, and increased travel. Do you know the latest epidemiology, clinical warning signs, and how to stop the spread? Key Takeaways: Can’t make it to the event? Register now to receive the recording afterward. SPEAKERS Paul A. Offit, MD, is the director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Read More …

Measles and Vitamin A

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From Your Local Epidemiologist: The WHO recommends vitamin A for people who contract measles because: Studies have shown that: However, only 0.3% of the US population has a vitamin A deficiency. Similar studies from other high-income countries with low levels of vitamin A deficiency suggest that the vitamin doesn’t make that much difference on measles. There is some data to suggest that vitamin A levels may drop during a measles infection, and when administered in cotrolled doses under the supervision of a doctor, it is a low risk intervention. But it’s unclear how much it actually helps. TL;DR: You can Read More …