WORCESTER, Mass. (WWLP) – A warning from health experts Thursday night to be vigilant after a Worcester County man was diagnosed with measles, following international travel. This is the first case of measles reported in Massachusetts since 2020.
DPH: Person with measles traveled through Logan Airport in Boston According to a news release from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), the case was confirmed in early July. Those who may have been in contact with this person were informed of the possible risk of exposure.
According to the Massachusetts DPH, measles is more contagious than any other disease and spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
“Now, when someone has a cold when you cough, it’s the virus hangs in the air for a little bit and then they drop because they’re considered heavy. But in terms of measles, that virus is so small, it hangs around in the air for a considerable amount of time,” said RN, MSN, MBA, CIC Infection Prevention & Control Coordinator, Mercy Medical Center & Providence Behavioral Health, A Member of Trinity Health Of New England, Magdalene Eboso.
She continues to say, “so if I walk into this space and I have the virus, any time I cough, I sneeze, I’m talking. I’m just sort of releasing those viruses in the air. 2 hours after I leave. That virus is still very present in this space that I’m in. And anybody that comes in contact with that space within that two hour timeframe is at risk of getting exposed and getting affected and infected with this virus. If they’re not vaccinated.”
There has been an increase in cases and outbreaks in Europe and elsewhere internationally. Eboso explains the reasoning for this. “So there are still places in the world today where they are having high rates of infection and breakouts of measles because they haven’t yet attained the level of vaccinations that we have. So I would really just encourage general population to get vaccinated.” she said.
Health experts also say the risk of infection is high for people who don’t get vaccinated and recommend you get one if you haven’t.
“Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased worldwide, including here in the United States and neighboring states in New England,” added Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “Cases of measles have been reported in 30 states since the beginning of last year, mostly in people and communities who are unvaccinated. Vaccination is the best way to protect against measles.”
“This vaccine for measles has been around greater than 50 years. So there’s been a lot of studies and research that has gone into it. And if you think about it, the U.S. declared it sort of eliminated and not endemic, sort of not an issue of high because of the high number of vaccines that they have been able to give over the years. And they consider a population to be sort of fairly vaccinated and protected when there is greater than 97% of the population being vaccinated,” added Eboso.
Eboso explains that the transmission rate is very high. “If I have, they talk about 90%. So if I have, I get measles, nine out of 10% that come in contact with me, if they are not properly vaccinated, will end up getting it,” said Eboso. “As long as you have it within even four days before the symptoms show up, you can already start transmitting it and passing it to other people.”
According to Eboso, those most at risk are children under five years old who are not immunized. “Their bodies are still growing. There’s a lot that they sort of haven’t built up. And that’s what puts them at highest risk because it’s a virus,” said Eboso. “Most viruses don’t necessarily have something that you can treat it with. So it usually is supportive treatment and then whatever else ends up happening as a result of them ending up with this. But it’s primarily children under five women who are pregnant and may not be immunized. And then those that are either immunocompromised or got the vaccine but didn’t end up developing immunity against it.”
The first common symptom, according to Eboso is high fevers, and the fevers associated with measles can go as high as 104 degrees. “Then we have what they commonly referred to as the three C’s. So you have a cough, you have conjunctivitis, your eyes become red and inflamed, irritated, and then cries, which is basically runny nose,” explained Eboso. “Those are the most common, but there will be sore throat associated with it. There will be obviously the red angry rash that shows up comes further along into your illness and infection process.”
Total Measles Cases in U.S.
The CDC reports there are 167 cases of measles reported in the U.S. in 2024, Measles cases have also been confirmed in neighboring New England states.
- 84% were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status
- 11% had one dose of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine
- 5% had two doses.
- 46% were under 5 years of age.
- 53% were hospitalized
Measles Symptoms
Early symptoms of measles are expected 10 days to two weeks after exposure. Those symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash.
Health officials say the best way to protect yourself from measles is by getting at least one dose of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective.
Certain Massachusetts residents are required to be vaccinated against measles, some health care workers, and all children in kindergarten – 12th grade and college.
If planning to travel internationally:
- All travelers 12 months of age and older should have 2 doses of MMR given at least 28 days apart or a blood test showing immunity.
- Children 6 through 11 months of age should receive 1 dose of MMR before traveling. These children will still need to get their 2 routine doses of MMR at 12-15 months and 4-6 years of age.
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