Health Department Advises Residents to Vaccinate Against Measles as New Cases Increase Nationally & Globally

The Rockland County Department of Health advises residents that measles cases are rising nationally and globally. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of February 20, 2025, a total of 93 measles cases were reported this year in Alaska, California, Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Rhode Island, and Texas, one-quarter of whom were hospitalized including one person in intensive care for complications. There are no reported cases in Rockland to date.

Most measles cases were in people who weren’t vaccinated, and the rest were in people who weren’t fully vaccinated. Two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine are highly effective at preventing measles. Anyone not protected through past infection or vaccination is at risk of getting the disease.

“Springtime increases the likelihood of coming in contact with measles and for outbreaks to occur given increased travel both locally and internationally. Talk to your healthcare provider about your measles vaccination status, especially if you’re planning to travel. Keep your children protected from this potentially deadly disease-make sure their vaccinations are up to date,” said Dr. Chitra Punjabi, Director of TB and Communicable Disease Control. 

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses on earth with 90% of unvaccinated people exposed to the virus becoming infected. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can even be contracted just by being in a room where a person with measles has been, up to two hours after that person has left. Symptoms include a fever, rash, cough, conjunctivitis (red, watery eyes), or runny nose.

Measles can be severe in all age groups; however, several groups are more likely to suffer from measles complications, including children younger than 5 years of age, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems. Complications of measles include pneumonia, encephalitis, miscarriage, pre-term birth, hospitalization, and death.