The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Thursday that an adult Worcester County resident who had recently traveled abroad was diagnosed with measles this month. This is the first confirmed case of measles in a Massachusetts resident since early 2020. Officials said people who may have been exposed to measles in this case have already been contacted and appropriate public health recommendations have been issued. “Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that is on the rise in the United States and around the world, including our neighboring New England states,” said Surgeon General Dr. Robbie Goldstein. Officials said measles cases have been reported in 30 states since early last year, most of which occur in unvaccinated people and communities. “Measles remains a global problem. It was actually ‘eliminated’ from the United States in 2000, so there is no longer ongoing transmission in the United States, but we still see imported cases and outbreaks,” said Dr. Larry Madoff, director of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. As of July 11, 24 jurisdictions across the United States have reported measles cases in 2024, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majority were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status (84%), 11% had received one dose of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and 5% had received two doses. Nearly half (46%) of the reported cases were under the age of 5. Of the reported cases, 53% were hospitalized. Currently, large measles outbreaks are occurring in Europe and other countries. Many of the reported cases in the United States are linked to recent travel. Last month, DPH warned residents about potential exposure to measles linked to an international traveler who traveled to Amsterdam through Boston while infected. DPH urges anyone who is unsure of their measles vaccination status to contact their health care provider and receive at least one dose of MMR vaccine. Health care providers who suspect measles should immediately call DPH at 617-983-6800 to obtain recommendations and testing guidance. Health care providers in Boston should call the Boston Public Health Commission at 617-534-5611.Video below: Massachusetts doctor talks about impact of U.S. measles outbreak
Boston —
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Thursday that an adult living in Worcester County who had recently traveled internationally was diagnosed with measles this month.
This is the first confirmed case of measles in a Massachusetts resident since the beginning of 2020.
Officials say people who may have been exposed to measles as a result of this case have already been contacted and provided with appropriate public health recommendations.
“Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that is on the rise around the world, including here in the United States and our neighboring New England states,” said Surgeon General Dr. Robbie Goldstein.
Officials say measles cases have been reported in 30 states since the beginning of last year, with most occurring in unvaccinated people and communities.
“Measles remains a global problem. In fact, measles was ‘eliminated’ from the United States in 2000, meaning there is no longer ongoing transmission in the United States, although imported cases and outbreaks are still occurring,” said Dr. Larry Madoff of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
As of July 11, a total of 167 measles cases have been reported across 24 jurisdictions across the U.S. in 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The majority were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status (84%), 11% had received one dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, and 5% had received two doses. Nearly half (46%) of the reported cases were in people under the age of 5. Of the reported cases, 53% were hospitalized.
There are currently large measles outbreaks in Europe and around the world.
Many of the reported cases in the U.S. are linked to recent travel. Last month, DPH warned residents about potential exposure to measles linked to an international traveler who traveled to Amsterdam through Boston while infected.
DPH urges anyone who is unsure of their measles vaccination status to contact their health care provider to receive at least one dose of the MMR vaccine.
Healthcare workers who suspect measles should immediately call DPH at 617-983-6800 for recommendations and testing guidance. Healthcare workers in Boston should call the Boston Public Health Commission at 617-534-5611.
Video below: Massachusetts doctor talks about impact of measles outbreak in the US
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