News & Announcements

This page serves as a quick information source for Measles Infection. If you suspect your child has a measles infection, we ask that you please DO NOT come to the office.  This is a very contagious illness, and suspected patients need to remain isolated from all group settings. 
 

What is Measles?  

• A highly contagious illness caused by a virus (Measles Virus or Rubeola) occurring in humans. It is passed by respiratory droplets expelled during coughing or sneezing. 

• Exposed persons generally are at risk of developing symptoms 7-21 days after exposure with the average time to infection being 10-14 days. 
   

What are the symptoms of Measles? 

• Fever (usually >101), dry cough, red/watery eyes, and runny nose are the primary presenting symptoms. 

• After a few days, there are white spots on the inner aspect of the cheek and then a rash (small red spots that can change to bumps) occurs starting from the hairline (forehead and behind the ears) and progressing onto the face and down the body. 
   

Who is at risk of getting Measles? 

• Measles primarily occurs in UNVACCINATED children (those who have not received 2 MMR vaccines—usually given at 12 months and 4 years); immunocompromised individuals (on chemo, taking immunosuppressive medications, or having no spleen). 

• Infected persons are considered contagious starting 4 days prior to the development of the rash until 4 days after the development of the rash. 

How is Measles treated? 

• There is no specific treatment for measles. Care is generally supportive (fever reduction, hydration, and nasal cleaning). 

• Infected persons should be observed for complications: ear infections, eye infections, pneumonia, diarrhea, encephalitis (seizure, altered mental status, irritability) 

• Vitamin A is NOT considered an empiric treatment and should only be given to children with confirmed cases of Measles when recommended by a doctor. 

 

What we know about the case in Howard County (directly from the Maryland Dept of Health): 

... a positive case of measles in a Howard County resident who recently traveled internationally. This case is not associated with the measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico. Out of an abundance of caution, health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed, including contacting potentially exposed passengers on specific flights. 

Anyone who visited the following locations during any of the following hours may have been exposed: 

• Washington Dulles International Airport: Terminal A, on transportation to the main terminal and in the baggage claim area 

                  March 5th, 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm 

• Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center Pediatric Emergency Department  

                 March 7th, 3:30 pm - 7:30 pm 

If your child is not fully immunized and may have been exposed to this contact, then please call Howard County Health Department’s Infectious Disease Surveillance and Response Program at 410-313-6284 for additional guidance. 

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What should you do if you suspect your child has measles symptoms (fever AND runny nose AND watery/red eyes AND cough; especially if followed by a whole-body rash starting at the hairline)? 

• Stay calm.  Two doses of the MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing measles.  

• DO NOT COME TO OUR OFFICE. Please call and speak to one of our clinical staff.   

• Stay away from all group settings (pre-schools, daycare, etc) as the infection is highly contagious. 

• Testing from nasopharyngeal swab along with serum testing is the recommended method of diagnosis.  Contact our office to determine the best way to have your child assessed in coordination with your local health department. 

• Provide appropriate supportive care for symptoms. 

 

What should you do if your child has a known exposure to a measles case?  

• Contact your local Health Department 

• If your child is within 72 hrs of the exposure: 

  • is 6-11 months, and has not received their 1st MMR, then they can come to our office to get an MMR Vaccine (they will still need to receive a dose after their 1st birthday to be considered immune). 

  • Is 12 months or older and has received their 1st MMR more than 28 days ago, then they can come to our office to get an MMR vaccine. 

Other Things you should know:
 

There has been one documented case of Measles in Maryland in each of the last two years (2024 and 2023), and no widespread outbreak occurred after those cases.  So, as of now, there is no need for alarm. 

The MMR vaccine (routinely given at 12 months and 4 years) remains the best method of preventing measles infection (93% are immune after 1 dose and 97% are immune after 2 doses).   We do not have any concerns about the present or future availability of the MMR vaccine, and there is no need for anyone to receive extra doses of the MMR vaccine.   

See the AAP's Parent Information Page on Measles for additional trusted information from National Health Experts

Please see our Vaccine Policy as additional information.