Current Measles Information

 KPAX News Release at this Youtube link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8XhRDvLSYA

UPDATE MAY 28, 2025 A case of measles has been reported out of Hill County, MT. Another case also in Gallatin County has been reported.

UPDATE MAY 21. 2025. A case of measles in an adult in Flathead County has been reported. The patient had a travel history but more information is being gathered on that travel and vaccination status.

On April 17, 2025, 5 confirmed measles cases were reported in Montana. On April 29, 2025, 2 more confirmed measles cases were reported, who were household contacts of the original cases. On May 5, 2025, 1 more confirmed measles case was reported, also a household contact to the original cases. This brings the total to 8 cases of measles; all are residents of Gallatin County. The three secondary cases were not immunized against measles, and were isolating at home when they became ill. There have been no additional public exposure locations identified and there is no evidence of community transmission. Prior to this, no cases of measles were reported in Montana since 1990.

WHAT IS MEASLES?

Measles is a serious respiratory disease caused by a virus. Measles starts with a fever. Soon after, it causes a cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Then a rash of tiny, red spots breaks out. It starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body. The rash can last for a week, and coughing can last for 10 days. CDC: Measles cases and outbreaks 

HOW IS MEASLES SPREAD?

Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is so contagious that if one person has it, 9 out of 10 people around him or her will also become infected if they are not protected.

• You can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been, even up to two hours after that person has left.

• An infected person can spread measles to others even before he or she develops symptoms—from four days before they develop the measles rash through four days afterward.

• For more information on transmission, see: CDC: Measles transmission

POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO MEASLES?

If you’re not protected against measles and think you might have been exposed to someone with measles:

• Stay home. Do not go straight to the doctor. Instead, call ahead to inform a healthcare professional of your possible exposure so you can get instructions about how to avoid exposing others.

• If you’re not already protected, get a measles vaccine.

  • If given within 72 hours of initial exposure, MMR vaccine may provide some protection or lessen the severity of disease.

  • Except in healthcare settings, unvaccinated people who receive their first dose of MMR vaccine within 72 hours after exposure may return immediately to childcare, school, or work.

COMPLICATIONS OF MEASLES

Measles can cause serious health complications, such as pneumonia or encephalitis, and even death.

• Children younger than 5 years of age and adults older than 20 years of age are at high risk of getting a serious case of measles.  When you get vaccinated, you also protect others around you who are at high risk for complications but can’t get vaccinated because they are too young or have a health condition.

• About 1 in 4 unvaccinated people in the U.S. who get measles will be hospitalized; 1 out of every 1,000 people with measles will develop brain swelling (encephalitis); 1 or 2 out of 1,000 people with measles will die, even with the best care.

• For more information on complications, see: CDC: Measles complications

VACCINATION RECOMMENDATIONS

The best protection against measles is MMR vaccine. MMR vaccine provides long-lasting protection against all strains of measles. Make sure you’re up to date on MMR and other vaccinations.

• Parents should make sure their children are protected against measles with two doses of MMR vaccine–the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age and the second dose 4 through 6 years of age.

• For more information on vaccination, see: Montana Immunization Program and CDC: Measles vaccination

PLAN FOR TRAVEL

https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/cdepi/diseases/Measles

• Travel Health (mt.gov)

• Travel Vaccines (mt.gov)

• Plan for Travel - Measles | CDC

• Travel: Check If You’re Protected Against Measles | CDC