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A message to our patients from HCAI Executive Director, Pattie McKnight - Read Below

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MEASLES 101: What To Know and How To Stay Safe

The landscape of public health in America is experiencing a significant shift. With only four months into 2025, the United States’ current confirmed measles cases have nearly quadrupled the amount of measles cases that were reported in 2024 alone (CDC). This marks a dramatic departure from our nation's previous success in controlling measles through the widespread adoption of the MMR vaccine and maintaining high vaccination rates.

 

Due to the disease’s high level of contagion, sustaining prevention requires at least 95% of a community to be vaccinated (Source: John Hopkins, Public Health On Call). While measles can easily be avoided, we are seeing significantly reduced vaccination rates and increased vaccination hesitancy. At Health Care Advocates International, we believe in empowering communities with knowledge and practical solutions. Here's what you should know about the disease and how you can best protect yourself from infection:

 

 

  1. Measles was officially eliminated from the U.S. in 2000.

    • Achieving measles elimination status in the US was a historic public health achievement. However, according to the CDC, measles is still commonly transmitted in other countries around the world. The annual number of cases has ranged from a low of 37 in 2004 to a high of 1,282 in 2019. In the U.S., the majority of cases have been among people who are not vaccinated against measles.

 

  1. As of April 17, 2025, there have been a total of 800 confirmed measles cases according to the Center for Disease Control in 25 jurisdictions: Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Washington.

 

  1. Of the 800 total cases seen in the United States so far in 2025, 96% occurred in unvaccinated patients or whose vaccination status is unknown. (Source: CDC)

 

  1. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can cause serious illness and death according to the World Health Organization.

    • One infected person can transmit measles to 12 to 18 people (in comparison, one person infected with the flu can transmit infection in up to 3 people Source: The Lancet)

 

  1. Measles can result in pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation in the brain that can cause permanent brain damage), ear infections causing hearing loss, blindness, and death. (Source: Mayo Clinic)

 

  1. Reasons for the current measles outbreak are thought to be 1) declining vaccination rates in kindergarten children and 2) waning immunity in adults who had previously been vaccinated, although it is unknown how many adults retain immunity throughout their adulthood (Source: Scientific American; PBS New Hour)

 

  1. You can check your immunity to measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) from your childhood vaccines, aka MMR, or from prior exposure to any or all of these illnesses, with an MMR antibody blood test. 

·         Many states along with your local health department offer immunization records by request. For the State of Connecticut, see below link to access records for vaccinations completed in state.

  1. CT Wiz

 

  1. Those most at risk to measles include:

·  Children under 12 months (too young to be vaccinated)

·  Children over 12 months who have not been immunized (unvaccinated)

·  Immunosuppressed individuals (ex. those with HIV/AIDS, those receiving cancer treatments, radiation therapy and/or drugs for many medical conditions

·  Healthcare personnel

·  Adults living in group settings

·  Elderly

·  Certain international travelers

(Source: National Foundation for Infectious Diseases)

 

While these trends are concerning, we have the tools and knowledge to reverse course. Through education, accessible healthcare, and community engagement, we can work together to restore and maintain the protection our population needs against measles. If you or someone you know might be infected, contact your primary care physician as soon as possible or visit the CDC for more information.

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Apr 24, 2025