WORCESTER—The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed today a case of measles in an adult resident from Worcester County who recently traveled internationally. This marks the first confirmed measles case in Massachusetts since early 2020.
Individuals potentially exposed to measles from this case have been contacted and provided with appropriate public health recommendations, according to the announcement.
“Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that has been increasing worldwide, including in the United States and neighboring New England states,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD, in a statement. “Most of the cases reported have occurred in unvaccinated individuals and communities. Vaccination remains the best protection against measles.”
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 167 measles cases have been reported in 24 jurisdictions across the United States as of July 11, 2024. The majority of these cases involved individuals who were either unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status. Nearly half of the reported cases involved children under five years old, and more than half of the affected individuals were hospitalized.
Large measles outbreaks are currently occurring in Europe and other international locations. Many of the recent cases in the United States are linked to international travel. Last month, the DPH warned residents about a possible measles exposure from an international visitor who traveled through Boston while infectious.
DPH encourages individuals who are unsure of their measles vaccination.
Send news to Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
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