April 16, 2024

U.S. CDC: Increase in Global and Domestic Measles Cases and Outbreaks

Please take a moment to review this information on measles circulation in the U.S. and globally and consider what you can do to prepare for the possibility of measles cases in Maine in the near future.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to inform clinicians and public health officials of an increase in global and U.S. measles cases and to provide guidance on measles prevention for all international travelers aged 6 months and all children aged 12 months who do not plan to travel internationally. Measles (rubeola) is highly contagious; one person infected with measles can infect 9 out of 10 unvaccinated individuals with whom they come in close contact.

From January 1 to March 14, 2024, U.S. CDC has been notified of 58 confirmed U.S. cases of measles across 17 jurisdictions, including seven outbreaks in seven jurisdictions compared to 58 total cases and four outbreaks reported the entire year in 2023. Among the 58 cases reported in 2024, 54 (93%) were linked to international travel. Most cases reported in 2024 have been among children aged 12 months and older who had not received measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Many countries, including travel destinations such as Austria, the Philippines, Romania, and the United Kingdom, are experiencing measles outbreaks. To prevent measles infection and reduce the risk of community transmission from importation, all U.S. residents traveling internationally, regardless of destination, should be current on their MMR vaccinations. Healthcare providers should ensure children are current on routine immunizations, including MMR. Given currently high population immunity against measles in most U.S. communities, the risk of widescale spread is low. However, pockets of low coverage leave some communities at higher risk for outbreaks.

Maine has not seen any cases of measles since 2019. The U.S. CDC is reporting a sharp increase in measles cases this year, already exceeding the total for 2023. As of April 11, a total of 121 measles cases had been reported by 18 jurisdictions, including Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. Additional updates are available at https://www.cdc.gov/measles/cases-outbreaks.html.

All suspected cases of measles should be reported to Maine CDC immediately by phone to 1-800-821-5821.

Maine CDC prefers measles specimen for PCR testing be submitted to the Maine Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) so results can be better tracked, or they can be submitted to other laboratories.

Health care facilities should prepare for the possibility of patients with measles presenting to their facilities in the near future.

Advisory (PDF)