Currently, there are ongoing measles outbreaks in the United States. The risk of measles remains low for most of the United States due to high immunization coverage and rapid case identification and response efforts. Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination is the best way to protect against measles and its complications.
Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. This was thanks to a very high percentage of people receiving the safe and effective measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. In recent years, however:
- U.S. MMR coverage among kindergarteners is now below the 95% coverage target—much lower in some communities—and is decreasing.
- Global measles activity is increasing, meaning more chances of an unvaccinated person infected with measles abroad returning to the United States.
Cases in Virginia
VDH has reported four cases of measles in Virginia in 2025. Visit Measles in Virginia: 2025 for updates on cases and potential exposure sites in Virginia.
If you think you may have been exposed to measles, watch for symptoms for 21 days after the date of your potential exposure. People who are not immune should contact their local health department immediately to receive public health guidance for symptom monitoring and discuss post-exposure treatment options.
If you are experiencing symptoms of measles, contact your healthcare provider right away. Call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you might have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the local health department. This will help protect other patients and staff.
Measles General Information
Measles is a very contagious disease caused by a virus that lives in the nose and throat of an infected person. The virus is released when an infected person breathes or coughs. It spreads easily from person to person through the air or by direct contact with nose or throat discharges from someone who is infected.
But measles is easily preventable!
A safe and effective vaccine that prevents measles is given as part of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine or the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine series. Since measles-containing vaccines became available in the United States, the disease has become rare in this country. Two doses of the vaccine are given to provide lifetime protection.
You are considered immune and protected against measles if you have written documentation (records) showing at least one of the following:
- You received two doses of measles-containing vaccine, and you are a(n)
- School-aged child (grades K-12)
- Adult who will be in a setting that poses a high risk for measles transmission, including students at post-high school education institutions, healthcare personnel, and international travelers.
- You received one dose of measles-containing vaccine, and you are a(n)
- Preschool-aged child
- Adult who will not be in a setting that poses a high risk for measles transmission, including students at post-high school education institutions, healthcare personnel, and international travelers.
- A laboratory confirmed that you had measles at some point in your life.
- A laboratory confirmed that you are immune to measles.
- You were born before 1957.
If you’re unsure whether you’re immune to measles, you should first try to find your vaccination records or documentation of measles immunity. To check your immunization status, call your healthcare provider or request records from the VDH Immunization Record Request Form.
Visit the Virginia MMR Vaccine Dashboard to learn more about current immunization rates across Virginia.
More information about measles is available: