Measles
Health care providers, administrators, and clinical laboratory directors should report confirmed or suspect cases immediately to their Local Health Department by telephone.
Measles is a very contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. Ninety percent of people with close contact with an infected person will get measles if they are not vaccinated. Before the measles vaccine became available, measles was a common childhood disease. Measles is considered the most deadly of all childhood rash/fever illnesses. Symptoms may include high fever, cough, runny nose, red watery eyes, rash. Measles can have serious complications such as ear infections, pneumonia, swelling of the brain, and miscarriage in pregnant women. For every 1,000 children who get measles, one or two will die.
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Exposed to Measles? [English] [Spanish]
Parents and International Travelers
- CDC HAN Increases in Measles Cases and Outbreaks: Ensure Those Traveling Internationally are Current on MMR Vaccination
- CDC Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Measles in Healthcare Settings
- Measles Exposure Guidance
- Healthcare Personnel Vaccination Recommendations
- Guidance for First Responders
- Vaccine Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
- Measles: Preventing the Spread in Child Care and School Settings
- Vaccine Information Statement
- WATCH: Clinical Overview of Measles: Diagnosis, Laboratory Testing, and Outbreak Response
- American Academy of Pediatrics Think Measles: Recognizing and Addressing Measles in Pediatric Practice
- Diagnosing and Treating Measles
- Project Firstline and AAP Think Measles One-Pager
- Measles Clinical Quick Guide and Screening Tool UPDATED: 3/2025
- Measles Post Exposure Prophylaxis Recommendations UPDATE IN PROGRESS
- Measles Laboratory Testing FAQ UPDATED: 3/2025
- Quick Guide for Measles Specimen Collection and Testing UPDATED: 3/2025
Alert
U.S. MEASLES INCREASE UPDATED: 03/21/2025
As of March 21, a total of 3 measles cases have been reported in NJ for 2025. A total of 7 measles cases were reported in NJ in 2024. There is no on-going community transmission of measles in NJ at this time. The NJDOH measles site will be updated weekly on Friday unless there is a change in the situation.
From January 1 to March 20, 2025, the CDC has been notified of 378 confirmed cases of measles across 18 jurisdictions in the U.S., including 3 outbreaks. Two deaths have been reported (1 confirmed, 1 under investigation). There is an on-going outbreak occurring in Texas with spread to New Mexico. 95% of the cases reported in the U.S. for 2025 are among children and individuals who had not received measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine or have unknown vaccination status. In 2024, there were a total of 285 measles cases reported across the country. The CDC will be updating national measles case counts weekly on Friday.
The Department urges all New Jersey residents planning to travel, regardless of destination, to ensure they are current on all routine and travel vaccinations, especially MMR vaccinations. If you are traveling internationally with an infant 6-11 months of age, ask their pediatrician about MMR prior to travel. The NJDOH is also requesting that healthcare providers use every opportunity to assess for immunizations to ensure all patients are current on routine immunizations. Healthcare administrators should ensure that their staff have documented evidence of immunity to measles.
CONFIRMED MEASLES CASES UPDATED: 03/21/2025
On February 14, 2025, NJDOH reported a single laboratory confirmed case of measles in a Bergen County resident with recent international travel. On February 20, NJDOH reported two secondary cases of measles both of whom had close contact with the index case. The individuals had been under quarantine, minimizing any additional potential exposures. All three cases associated with this situation are unvaccinated.
In collaboration with local health officials, the NJDOH worked to identify and notify people who might have been exposed during the time the individuals were infectious. Additional cases associated with the index case would have been expected to occur no later than March 6. As of March 21, no additional cases associated with this situation have been reported. This is the final update for this situation as the investigation is complete.