Often considered a disease of the past, measles is making a concerning comeback in the United States.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1088 confirmed measles cases have been reported across 33 U.S. jurisdictions this year as of May 29. A total of 285 confirmed cases were reported in the U.S. in 2024.
“Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that causes high fever, cough, runny nose and a characteristic rash,” Chickasaw Nation Medical Center Chief of Pediatrics Dr. Jonathan Walther said. “Complications can include ear infections, pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and, in rare cases, death — especially in young children.”
The CDC defines measles as an acute viral respiratory illness. The virus often appears as a full body rash, beginning on the face and spreading to the lower extremities.
According to the CDC, about 1 in 5 unvaccinated people with the measles virus are hospitalized and as many as 1 in 20 children with the disease will develop pneumonia. Other issues can occur as well.
Not only is measles dangerous, but it is also very contagious. The CDC reports up to 9 out of 10 susceptible people with close contact to a patient with measles will develop measles themselves. The virus is transmitted when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes, and the virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area.
According to the CDC, the first live measles vaccine was licensed in the United States in 1963.
The decade before the vaccine was approved, approximately 549,000 measles cases and 495 measles deaths were reported each year.
“The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine was introduced in the United States in 1971, combining three separate vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella into one,” Walther said. “It was a major advancement in public health. Thanks to the MMR vaccine, these diseases are now rare in vaccinated populations, although outbreaks can still occur when vaccination rates decline.”
After years of consistent vaccination, the measles disease was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000. However, with vaccination numbers steadily declining, measles has the chance of becoming a national threat once again.
“Vaccination is one of the most critical tools we have in pediatric care to prevent serious and sometimes life-threatening diseases,” Walther said. “With global travel and declining vaccination rates in some areas, the risk of outbreaks is real.”
Walther said he and his colleagues work diligently to encourage vaccinations among parents of young children.
“As a pediatrician, I strongly advocate for the MMR vaccine because it not only protects the individual child but also contributes to community immunity — protecting those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons,” Walther said.
Walther said measles vaccines are readily available for children in the U.S. and should be utilized to keep youth safe from the disease. Present-day MMR vaccines protect individuals against all three diseases.
“The CDC recommends that children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine,” Walther said. “The first dose is given at 12-15 months of age, and the second dose is typically administered at 4-6 years, before starting school. In certain cases, such as during an outbreak or for international travel, children may receive the vaccine earlier. It is best to have a discussion with your pediatrician to see if early vaccination is needed.”
Walther hopes to work with parents of pediatric patients to make the best decision for their children.
“I understand that parents want to make the best choices for their children, and it's normal to have questions,” Walther said. “I always encourage open conversations based on facts. The MMR vaccine has been extensively studied and monitored for decades. It's safe, effective and far less risky than the diseases it prevents. The complications from measles, mumps or rubella can be severe, and vaccination is the best defense we have.”
For more information, visit ChickasawNationHealth.net.