Learn About Measles

Measles cases in the U.S. are rising, with more cases reported so far in 2026 than any year since 1991.

Cases have been identified in our region, including in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. On July 20, 2026, Delaware reported its first measles case in more than a decade.

ChristianaCare is closely monitoring the situation and working with our clinical teams and public health partners. We remain committed to protecting the health and safety of our patients, caregivers, and communities through ongoing surveillance, preparedness, and education.

Measles is a serious, highly contagious viral illness. Anyone who is not vaccinated against measles is at risk of becoming infected if they are exposed to the virus.

Common complications include ear infections and diarrhea. While many people recover from measles, it can sometimes lead to serious complications, especially in babies and young children. These can include pneumonia (a lung infection) and encephalitis (swelling of the brain), both of which may require hospitalization. 

Measles may cause pregnant women to have babies born prematurely.

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in existence. It can easily spread from person to person. When an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes, the virus is released into the air and enters another person’s body through the nose, mouth or throat. People can also become sick if they come in contact with mucus or saliva (spit) from an infected person.

The measles virus can live on contaminated surfaces and in the air for up to two hours. If someone who is not vaccinated enters that space during that time, there is about a 90% chance they will become infected. 

Recognizing measles symptoms and getting appropriate medical care is important to help prevent the spread of the virus and the potential for severe complications.

Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Common symptoms include:

• High fever (may spike to more than 104°F)
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red and/or watery eyes
• Rash (breaks out 3-5 days after symptoms begin)

If you or your child has symptoms of measles, it's important to stay away from others, including family members who are not sick, whenever possible. Because measles spreads so easily, everyone in your family should stay home and avoid contact with others until you have spoken with a health care provider and received guidance on next steps.

If you think you or your child may have measles, call your provider before going to a doctor's office, urgent care center, or emergency department. Calling ahead allows the care team to take steps to protect other patients and visitors. 

If the person who is sick gets rapidly worse, or has any of the symptoms listed below, take them to the emergency department of a hospital immediately. DO NOT WAIT. Alert staff on arrival about concerns about measles, or also alert paramedic staff if you need 911.

• Trouble breathing (or breathing faster than normal)
• Pain when breathing or coughing
• Dehydration (dry nose and mouth, urinating less, crying without making tears)
• Fever or headache that will not stop
• Confusion, decreased alertness, or severe weakness
• Blue color around the mouth, low energy, or difficulty feeding (for young children)

The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against measles is with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses of MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is 93% effective.

Medical professionals recommend first MMR (or the MMRV, adding varicella or chickenpox into the vaccine) at age 12-15 months, which offers excellent protection against measles. The second dose at age 4-6 supplements the first dose for those who have a sub-optimal response to the first dose. This protection lasts lifelong.

Due to the current outbreak, public health officials are recommending earlier vaccination for children aged 6-12 months. If children received the early dose, they must complete 3 total doses to be considered fully immunized. Consult with your pediatrician for additional concerns.

Yes. It is safe to come to your appointment. Safety remains our top priority, and we are taking the necessary steps to help protect our patients, visitors, and caregivers.

If you or your child has symptoms of measles, such as a fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, or a rash, please call your provider before coming to your appointment. This allows us to take extra precautions and help prevent the spread of illness. Also, if you believe you or a family member have been exposed to someone with measles or are unsure about your vaccination status, we encourage you to contact your provider before coming to your visit. They can help determine whether any additional steps are needed.

You can find additional updates, videos, and expert insights to support your continued coverage on our Facebook page and here on our Measles FAQ page. We will post confirmed updates, important guidance, and any new developments as they become available. We are committed to keeping our community informed with timely, accurate information.

Delaware Residents: The State of Delaware is closely monitoring measles cases in the state, and more information can be found at this link. If you can’t find the answer you are looking for, you can call the Delaware Public Health Measles Call Center, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call toll free at 1-866-408-1899 or locally, at 302-672-6100. 

Pennsylvania Residents: The Pennsylvania Department of Health recently launched a measles dashboard to keep Pennsylvanians better informed about cases and ongoing efforts to contain the spread among people who are unvaccinated. You can find that dashboard as well as other helpful measles guidance here. 

Maryland Residents: Measles updates and guidance for the state of Maryland can be found here. The Maryland Department of Health Center for Immunization recommends that if you would like to check your immunization status, contact your healthcare provider or securely request your records online​ via My Immunization Record (MyIR). 

Members of the media who want to speak with a medical expert about measles should contact our  Media Relations team. We will work to connect you with a subject matter expert, who can provide the latest verified information. 

You can find additional updates, videos, and expert insights to support your continued coverage on our Facebook page and on our Measles FAQ page

All information included on this FAQ page may be used in your news coverage. We will continue to update this page as new information becomes available.