All articles tagged with #measles
Health officials say Utah is the current epicenter of a nationwide measles outbreak, urging vaccination as cases rise and transmission remains highest in communities with lower immunization rates.
Measles cases are climbing as infants remain ineligible for the MMR vaccine,占 leaving a protection gap and heightening outbreak risk; in South Carolina, nonmedical vaccine exemptions have surged and a bill would delay vaccines for children under two, fueling debates about parental choice and herd immunity as national cases rise and kindergarten vaccination rates lag.
Health officials warn of a possible measles exposure at Boise Airport after a traveler with the virus passed through on March 29; those who shared flights should watch for fever, runny nose, cough, red or watery eyes, or a rash and consult a healthcare provider about vaccination.
Maricopa County Public Health confirmed a measles case in a Valley resident with exposure in Queen Creek and listed three exposure sites with times: Costco (April 3, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.), Walmart (April 4, 8:15–10:45 a.m.), and Generation Church Queen Creek at Faith Mather Sossaman Elementary (April 5, 8:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m.). People who were at those locations during those windows should monitor for symptoms through late April, check their vaccination status, and contact a healthcare provider if symptoms appear; measles is highly contagious and can linger in the air for up to two hours.
CDPHE warns of a possible measles exposure linked to a Chick-fil-A visit at 505 N. Academy Blvd in Colorado Springs on March 25 from 5–8 p.m., tied to two unvaccinated Weld County residents and unrelated to the Broomfield outbreak. People who were there during that window should monitor for measles symptoms (fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, rash) through April 15 and seek medical care if they develop any signs. The exposure location is being investigated and health officials advise contacting a healthcare provider if symptoms appear.
Utah's measles outbreak has grown to 583 confirmed cases since last summer, expanding from rural, low‑vaccination communities near the Arizona border to the rest of the state. About 83% of cases are among unvaccinated people, with exposures at the University of Utah and in several high schools illustrating the virus's reach. Public‑health officials emphasize vaccination and discussions with doctors to counter misinformation, noting that severe illness can affect teens and children and that containment remains challenging as spring arrives.
Key updates across infectious disease news: some antibiotics can disrupt the gut microbiome for 4–8 years; the South Carolina measles outbreak neared 1,000 cases as the US total approaches 1,500; avian flu has hit farms in Pennsylvania with over 350,000 birds killed in Indiana and wildlife losses in California, while Europe reports its first H9N2 case; the Covid variant BA.3.2 is in 23 countries, differing from the JN.1 vaccine lineage, though wastewater and ER visits are down and vaccines do not raise sudden-death risk; severe infections may accelerate dementia; five children have been sickened by E. coli from raw milk; bacteriophage therapy shows promise for cystic fibrosis; glyphosate and drought may raise antibiotic resistance genes in soil; fewer than 25% of LMICs meet measles vaccination targets; the CDC needs a new director and Hepatitis C remains curable but treatment uptake is low; the post also includes fundraising notes for Daily Kos and an invitation to join the Infectious Information group.
Texas Tribune findings show a measles outbreak linked to federal detention facilities in West Texas and El Paso, infecting at least four El Paso workers and signaling potential wider spillover as officials struggle to obtain detainee vaccination data from DHS/ICE/LaSalle Corrections; statewide, 147 measles cases have been reported so far this year, most in WTDF, Camp East Montana, and Dilley, while local health officials press for more transparency to guide vaccination efforts and outbreak forecasting.
A large measles outbreak linked to Ave Maria University in Florida has spread into the town, with over 100 cases county-wide. The public health department’s communications have been inconsistent, prompting local leaders—including a former HHS official—along with the diocese and university to fill information gaps and promote vaccination. Experts warn that timely, transparent updates are crucial to curb spread, while questions linger about the official response and the visibility of case data to residents.
ProPublica reports that Kennedy’s interventions in U.S. vaccine policy—replacing advisers with vaccine skeptics, trimming the childhood immunization schedule, and cutting global vaccination funding—could erode trust and access, risking a revival of preventable diseases. The piece links measles outbreaks at home to these shifts and recalls Hib meningitis, rubella congenital syndrome, and diphtheria resurfacing abroad when vaccination coverage falters; it warns that if makers withdraw from the U.S. market or the vaccine-injury compensation system weakens, Americans could lose access to lifesaving shots despite proven safety.
A Weld County resident who is unvaccinated has been confirmed as Colorado's 12th measles case of 2026 (the 10th this month). The case involves travel to an outbreak area in another state and is not linked to the Broomfield outbreak. Two exposure sites in Loveland were identified, and officials urge vaccination within 72 hours of exposure and watching for symptoms. Colorado’s measles count for 2026 stands at 12 so far; last year saw 36 cases. Measles is highly contagious and can spread rapidly.
Public Health – Seattle & King County warns of a confirmed measles case linked to a Canadian traveler who passed through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on March 9, with unknown vaccination status; the infected person is no longer in King County, and exposure potential spans March 16–20. Residents who are not immune or unsure of their vaccination status who were at the airport on March 9 are urged to review exposure details. Washington has 28 measles cases reported in 2026 so far.
Three travel-linked measles cases in Washtenaw County, tied to exposure in Florida, were confirmed; no local exposure sites yet, but officials warn transmission risk is rising as measles cases climb nationwide (more than 1,350 across 31 states). Health officials urge vaccination, noting two MMR doses offer about 97% protection while travel continues.
Franklin County Public Health warns of a potential measles exposure at a Westerville CVS (620 S. Cleveland Ave.) after a confirmed measles case visited between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tuesday; those not fully vaccinated should monitor for symptoms through April 7, including fever, rash, cough and red eyes. Measles vaccines are about 97% effective with two doses; symptomatic individuals should stay home and contact their health provider.
ProPublica analyzes how Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s push to overhaul vaccine safety and trim the routine childhood immunization schedule could undermine trust and access, risking supply disruptions and the return of preventable diseases such as measles, rubella, and diphtheria both in the U.S. and globally, based on historical outbreaks and expert interviews.