Office of Public Health
Office of Public Health

Measles

Overview

Measles is an extremely contagious viral illness that spreads primarily through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or breathes. It can remain infectious in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. Up to 90% of unvaccinated individuals who are exposed will become infected with measles. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, and a telltale rash that begins 3-5 days after other symptoms appear. Measles infection can cause serious health complications, especially in children. The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is a routinely recommended vaccine that is given as part of the childhood immunization series, and is safe, effective, and offers long-lasting protection.  

Current Status

Last Updated: April 18, 2025

As of April 17, 2025, 800 measles cases have been reported in the United States. For comparison, 285 cases were diagnosed in the U.S. in 2024. In total, measles cases have been reported by CDC in 25 jurisdictions since the beginning of the year. 

In the DC Region

The DC region has reported several recent cases. On April 14, 2025, DC Health reported a confirmed measles case involving an individual who visited one location in DC while contagious. The potential exposure site was:

On March 25, 2025, DC Health reported a confirmed measles case involving an individual who visited multiple locations in DC while contagious. The potential exposure sites were:

What You Can Do 

If you were at these sites during the exposure windows, if you’ve otherwise been exposed to measles, or if you have any symptoms, please contact the Student Health Center (if a student) or your healthcare provider. Call ahead to inform the health facility staff or alert dispatch when requesting EMS or GERMS assistance, so they can provide guidance on masking and other precautions. Please also consider sharing this information with the university’s public health team at publichealth@georgetown.edu.  

As cases continue to emerge, the best way to protect against measles is to get vaccinated.  Getting vaccinated now is highly recommended if you have not completed your vaccine series or are unsure about your vaccination status. If you don’t know your vaccination history or status, you can call your healthcare provider or check the immunization registry of the state where you received your vaccines (here are helpful links for DC, VA and MD). The CDC offers additional tips for locating childhood vaccine records. 

Review the information below to learn more about measles, and reach out to the public health team at publichealth@georgetown.edu with any general questions. 

Symptoms and Complications

Symptoms of measles usually begin 7-14 days after infection, but can take as long as 21 days to appear. The first symptoms to typically appear are common to other illnesses too, e.g., a high fever, cough, runny nose and red and watery eyes. The telltale symptom is a rash that usually appears 3-5 days after the first symptoms. It starts on the head or neck and spreads to the rest of the body.  

Measles can have serious and potentially life-threatening health consequences. It can be serious in all age groups; however, there are several groups that are more likely to suffer from measles complications:

Vaccination

Measles is preventable with a safe, effective vaccine.  Most people in the U.S. receive the MMR vaccine as part of their routine childhood vaccinations, and it is never too late to get vaccinated if you aren’t already. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are ~97% effective at preventing measles infection.  

If you don’t know your vaccination history or status, you can call your healthcare provider or check the immunization registry of the state where you received your vaccines (here are helpful links for DC, VA and MD). The CDC offers additional tips for locating vaccine records. If you can’t find your records, you should receive a dose of the MMR vaccine. Even if you may already be immune, there is no harm to you in getting another dose of the MMR vaccine. 

Vaccines are available at the Student Health Center, via your healthcare provider, One Medical and most outpatient clinic settings. 

How Does Measles Spread? 

Measles is highly contagious and can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. 

Measles is a highly contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface and then touch their eyes, noses or mouths, they can become infected.

If You Have Been Exposed to Measles 

In the event of an exposure to someone with measles, let your healthcare provider know immediately, so they can determine your vaccine status and provide guidance on care and immunization if warranted.  

If you’re unvaccinated, you are at high risk for contracting measles after an exposure. Because of the risk of severe disease from measles and the high likelihood of transmission to others even before symptoms are evident, public health guidance recommends that unvaccinated individuals who are exposed to measles quarantine for at least 21 days to prevent further spread. 

If you’re vaccinated with two doses of MMR or another measles-containing vaccine, you are protected, but should watch for symptoms of measles for 21 days following an exposure. 

If you’re vaccinated with one dose of MMR or another measles-containing vaccine, you are very likely to be protected and your risk of being infected with measles from an exposure is low. However, to achieve improved immunity, consider getting a second vaccine dose.  

If you’ve already had measles or were born before 1957, you are protected and do not need to take any action. 

If you’re pregnant or have an immunocompromising condition, please consult with your healthcare provider. Eligible immunocompromised individuals may be offered immunoglobulin as post-exposure prophylaxis.