The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has reported its first case of measles in the state since 2002, a child under the age of 5 who contracted the disease while traveling outside the US. The ADPH says the child was not vaccinated and had contact with the virus before symptoms appeared.
According to Dr. Karen Landers, chief medical officer for the ADPH, parents should ensure their children are up-to-date on their measles vaccinations. Unvaccinated individuals have a 90% chance of becoming infected if exposed, while infected people can spread the disease.
Measles was declared eliminated in the US in 2000 due to high vaccination rates. However, recent data shows a decline in vaccination coverage among kindergarteners, resulting in increased measles activity. The CDC reports over 1,375 cases nationwide this year, with the US experiencing its worst year for measles in over three decades.
The measles virus spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Symptoms typically appear within 7-14 days after infection and include fever, cough, runny nose, and watery/red eyes, followed by a rash.
Measles vaccination is part of the standard childhood vaccine series, typically administered at 12-15 months old and again between 4-6 years old. The MMR vaccine is 99% effective in preventing measles after two doses.
Source: https://www.al.com/news/2025/08/alabama-child-has-states-first-case-of-disease-once-nearly-eradicated-in-more-than-20-years.html