Measles cases are increasing in the United States and worldwide. Measles is one of the most contagious respiratory diseases caused by a virus. It spreads when someone infected coughs and sneezes into the air.
Measles can be dangerous and make people very ill, especially young children. Complications include pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation), miscarriage, preterm birth, hospitalization, and death. There is no treatment. Getting the measles vaccine is the best way to prevent measles.
Anyone not vaccinated against the measles virus should receive at least one dose of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses of MMR vaccine are recommended for all children and adults. Among cases so far in 2025, about 94% of the 222 cases have been unvaccinated or their vaccination status is unknown.
Not sure if you are protected? Contact your health care provider or Madison County Public Health to find out if you are up to date and protected.
- To get the MMR vaccine, contact your healthcare provider or Madison County Public Health at 315-366-2361, option 2.
Symptoms of measles may include:
7-14 days, and up to 21 days after exposure to the measles virus
- High fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
3-5 days after symptoms begin, a rash occurs
- The rash usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline and spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet.
- Small, raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots.
- The spots may become joined together as they spread from the head to the rest of the body.
- When the rash appears, a person’s fever may spike to more than 104° Fahrenheit.
To learn more about measles, cases, outbreaks, and the MMR vaccine, click here.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
