Calvert County Health Department

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Measles

Health Alert: Measles Cases Continue to Rise

Measles continues to rise across the country. Maryland had three cases in March 2025, but none since then. There have been no cases of measles in Calvert County. However, given the highly contagious nature of this viral illness, it is important to stay vigilant and make sure that you and your family are protected.

The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is by being immunized with two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is safe and effective. This is especially important if you are planning to travel outside the U.S. this summer, as the 2025 Maryland cases were related to international travel.

Families who are planning to travel outside the U.S. should ensure that their family members, especially children, are up-to-date on their routine U.S. vaccines, including the MMR vaccine. Please see your healthcare provider if you have questions about your vaccination status. Learn more at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/mmr/public/index.html and https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/OIDEOR/IMMUN/Shared%20Documents/Measles-FAQ-for-Public_FINAL.pdf

Measles symptoms include fever (up to 1040F), cough, red watery eyes (conjunctivitis) and a rash, which may start on the head and spread down.
If you suspect that you or your family member may have measles, it is important to take the following actions to ensure your safety and that of others:

• Seek medical care.
• Call your healthcare provider before arriving at their clinic or healthcare facility so they can take appropriate precautions.
• Isolate yourself (or your family member) by staying at home until measles is ruled out.

If you have been confirmed to have measles, it is important that you take the following actions to prevent spreading the virus to others:

• Wear a face mask and wash your hands frequently.
• Avoid enclosed spaces with other persons at home.
• Do not go to school, daycare, or your work until cleared by your doctor to return to these places.

Measles cases in the U.S.

As of May 30, 2025, a total of 1,088 confirmed measles cases in the U.S. were reported by 33 jurisdictions (Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington). Over one-third of all the measles cases (37%) are in school-aged children or teens, and 30% occurred in children younger than 5 years old. Out of the 1088 total cases, 133 (12%) persons were hospitalized. The highest hospitalization rate (22%) occurred in children under 5 years of age. This information shows that measles can lead to dangerous complications that require hospitalization, especially in children less than 5 years old. Ninety-six percent of individuals who acquired this illness were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status.

Approximately 92% of the confirmed measles cases were associated with outbreaks in these states: Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and North Dakota, Arkansas, Montana. The remaining 8% of cases were associated with international travel to countries where measles spreads regularly.

Three deaths have been reported from measles. The first confirmed death was in a school-aged child in Texas who tested positive for measles, was not vaccinated and did not have any underlying medical condition. The second death was in a New Mexico resident who did not seek medical care before passing and tested positive for measles. The third death occurred in a school-aged child in Texas who tested positive for measles and was hospitalized. The child was unvaccinated and previously healthy.