Special to IFN

RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday announced 22 measles cases in North Carolina since late December 2025. As cases continue to rise across the state, NCDHHS urges vaccination for everyone ages one year and older and recommends health care providers consider early vaccination for infants living in or routinely visiting certain areas in North Carolina.

“The rise in measles cases is concerning, especially since most infections are affecting unvaccinated children,” said Dr. Zack Moore, NCDHHS state epidemiologist. “Measles is highly contagious, but it is also preventable. We strongly encourage parents in areas where there has been community transmission of measles to speak with their health care provider about the option of early vaccination for infants 6 to 11 months old.”

To date, most North Carolina measles cases have been associated with known outbreaks, including the large outbreak in upstate South Carolina, and have affected unvaccinated people. NCDHHS continues to recommend all unvaccinated individuals ages one year and older receive the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine to protect themselves and those around them.

NCDHHS also recommends health care providers consider early vaccination for infants 6-11 months of age residing in, or spending time in, areas of North Carolina where measles transmission is occurring.

Areas where early vaccination should be considered include:
♦ Buncombe County; and
♦ The Charlotte Metro area, including Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan and Union counties

While not all counties in the Charlotte Metropolitan area have had measles cases reported, some cases in the region have not been linked to travel or other known cases, indicating that the virus may be spreading locally. Individuals should also talk with their provider about vaccination before traveling either internationally or to an outbreak area in the United States.

All individuals who may have been exposed, regardless of vaccination status, may be contacted by their local health department or an NC Public Health Outreach Team member via phone call, text message, email or in-person visit. Locations where people might have been exposed to measles will be added to the measles exposure list.

Laboratory testing is not recommended for people who were exposed unless they develop symptoms of measles, including fever and rash. Symptoms of measles can start seven to 21 days after being exposed. If symptoms develop, please contact your local health department right away, limit exposure to other people, and call ahead before visiting the doctor or emergency room so steps can be taken to prevent exposure to others.

Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact as well as through the air. The virus can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person was present.

Symptoms

Symptoms of measles usually begin 7-14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure and may include:
♦ High fever (may spike to more than 104 degrees)
♦ Cough
♦ Runny nose
♦ Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
♦ Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth (Koplik Spots) two to three days after symptoms begin
♦ A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin

Measles can also cause complications including diarrhea, pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and suppression of the immune system.

North Carolina residents should contact their health care provider or their local health department for additional information on ways to obtain the vaccine and schedule an appointment. The MMR vaccine is also available at many retail pharmacies, but people are encouraged to call for availability. Children eligible for the Vaccines for Children program may receive the vaccine from a provider enrolled in that program. The NCDHHS measles immunity checker tool is also available for those who are unsure whether they might need additional protection.

LEARN MORE

For more information about measles, including guidance, resources and the MMR vaccine, please visit dph.ncdhhs.gov/measles.