Measles has been detected in several US counties and a Canadian province this year, with cases reported in Los Angeles County, California; Suffolk County, New York; Howard County, Maryland; and Oklahoma.
Health officials confirmed the first case of measles in Suffolk County on Long Island, New York. A resident under 5 years old is infected. In Los Angeles County, a case was reported on March 5 after exposure to a China Airlines flight from Taiwan. The patient may have been infected onboard and visited Los Angeles International Airport.
In Howard County, Maryland, health authorities reported a confirmed case in a resident who recently traveled abroad. The individual visited Washington Dulles International Airport on March 5.
Oklahoma reported two possible cases of measles, with individuals showing symptoms consistent with the disease. The state’s health department praised those for excluding themselves from public settings immediately after symptoms appeared.
The US has seen outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico, particularly in communities with low vaccination rates. At least 223 cases have been detected in Texas’ South Plains region since January, mostly among unvaccinated or unknown vaccinated individuals.
According to the CDC, measles spreads easily through the air and on surfaces, with a person infected before symptoms appear being able to spread it to others. The virus can cause fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and Koplik spots in the mouth.
There is no specific cure for measles, but vaccination remains crucial. The CDC urges healthcare professionals to monitor patients during spring break and summer travel and ensure they are up-to-date on their MMR vaccines.
Measles eliminated from the US in 2000 due to widespread immunization campaigns has seen a decline in national vaccination rates since then. Even small declines in vaccination can increase the likelihood of an outbreak.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/03/12/measles-suffolk-county-new-york-los-angeles-lax