What you need to know about Measles

updated February 28, 2025

for information about the current measles outbreak in the United States, use this link

About Measles (Rubeola)

Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. This was thanks to a very high percentage of people receiving the safe and effective measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. In recent years, however:

• U.S. MMR coverage among kindergarteners is now below the 95% coverage target—much lower in some communities—and is decreasing.
• Global measles activity is increasing, meaning more chances of an unvaccinated person infected with measles abroad returning to the United States.

What is measles?

The rash of measles, also known as rubeola, starts on the head and spreads to the trunk (chest and upper back) , arms, and legs over a few days .

It was one of the “usual childhood diseases” that most of us over  55 years old contracted as children, prior to the use of the vaccine. It is caused by a virus in the Paramyxoviridae family and spreads by person to person contact.

The other “childhood diseases” were

• Rubella, or  German measles
• Chicken pox, or  varicella
• Roseola
• Fifth Disease, or erythema infectiosum

These all cause a rash, called an exanthem.

Mumps was also a common childhood disease but does not usually cause a rash.

Symptoms of measles include cough, nasal drainage, reddened, inflamed eyes, and a rash , pictured .

Preventing measles and other exanthem

After the measles vaccine was introduced in 1963 the number of reported cases was reduced by 99%. In 2000 measles was declared no longer endemic (occurring routinely) in the United States. Thus public health officials consider an outbreak a major setback in the control of infectious disease.

Measles vaccine is usually administered as a “3 in 1” vaccine- the MMR, which has been vilified as a possible cause of autism, although that has been thoroughly discredited.

The other two letters in the mix stand for mumps and rubella (also known as German measles) both of which are also caused by viruses and for which no treatment exists.

No vaccine exists for roseola or Fifth Disease, but we have an effective vaccine for chickenpox.

MEASLES OUTBREAK 2025

KFF Health news offered this report about measles cases in New Mexico.

“NMDOH reported Thursday that an unvaccinated adult tested positive for measles and died, but the cause of death is still under investigation. This follows the Feb. 26 death of a Texas child, the first U.S. death from the disease in a decade. 

The ongoing outbreak started in Gaines County, Texas, just across the state line from Lea County. Cases in Texas continue to rise, with health officials there reporting just under 200 cases, mostly in unvaccinated children. 

As reported nationally, recent comments made by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continued to downplay the role of vaccinations and instead touted nutrition and the role of Vitamin A. Vitamin A can be used in treatment, but it does not prevent measles, according to the CDC.“

continue reading the report at this link.

Growing NM measles cases ‘not a rapidly expanding outbreak,’ DOH says

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My family receives vaccines, including the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine,  and I believe any potential risk is worth the benefit. I urge you to think carefully and talk to a trusted physician before you decide to forgo vaccination for yourself and especially for your children.

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