Measles

There are 0 cases of measles currently reported in Allegheny County in 2025.

About 7 to 21 days after you are exposed to measles, you may get a high fever (>101 degrees F), a cough, runny nose, and red eyes, followed by a rash that usually starts on the face. You may also have poor energy and appetite, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, shortness of breath, or diarrhea.

Yes. Common complications include ear infections and diarrhea. Severe complications include pneumonia (infection of the lungs), encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and death. Measles may cause pregnant women to give birth prematurely or have low-birth-weight babies. There is also a very rare deadly disease called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) that can occur several years after a person has measles.

Adults born before 1957 are considered immune. Younger healthy adults are considered immune if they have at least one dose of MMR vaccine. Those born after 1989 probably have received 2 doses, affording 97% percent immunity, while those born between the early 1960s and 1988 probably have received one dose, affording about 93% immunity to the virus. An adult who had only one dose of killed vaccine, given from 1963 to 1967, should have another dose. Children should have 2 doses, with the first at age 12-15 months and the second at 4 to 6 years. Healthcare workers, university students, and international travelers must have two documented MMR doses to be considered fully vaccinated.

If you were born before 1957 you can assume that you are immune. If you were born in or after 1957 and are unsure if you had a vaccine or had the measles, you should talk to your doctor. He or she may recommend a blood test to check for antibodies.

People are unlikely to get sick with measles if they have been appropriately vaccinated. An exposure occurs when a person is in the same space (e.g. room, office, waiting room, building) with someone who has measles, or occupies this space for up to 2 hours after the infected person has left. Approximately 90% of people who are not vaccinated will get measles if they are exposed to someone with the disease.

A: Call your doctor to let them know that you have been exposed to someone who has measles. They will want to evaluate you without putting other patients and medical office staff at risk. This may be done first by phone. If you are not ill, you may be advised to get an MMR vaccine if it’s within 3 days of exposure.

All suspect and confirmed cases of measles must be immediately reported to the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) at 412-687-2243. The ACHD will ensure that people with the disease stay home until they are no longer infectious. The ACHD will warn the public where they may have been exposed to measles. If anyone not immune is exposed and likely to develop disease, the Health Department may quarantine them to ensure they cannot spread the virus.

The ACHD Immunization Clinic offers MMR during daily clinic hours. Should the need arise, additional vaccine clinics may be provided in other locations.

Infants 6 months through 11 months of age should receive one dose of MMR vaccine. Children 12 months of age and older should have two doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days. Adults should have two doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days.

Infants who get one dose of MMR vaccine before their first birthday should get two more doses according to the routinely recommended schedule (one dose at 12 through 15 months of age and another dose at 4 through 6 years of age or at least 28 days later).

Visit the Center for Disease Control page about measles and traveling.

Acceptable evidence of immunity against measles includes at least one of the following:

• Written documentation of adequate vaccination, positive antibody titer, laboratory confirmation of measles
• Birth in the United States before 1957

Health care workers should have 2 documented doses of MMR vaccine or a positive antibody titer, regardless of year of birth.

• Age less than 12 months unless planning international travel
• History of a severe (anaphylactic) reaction to neomycin (or other vaccine component) following previous dose of MMR
• Pregnancy
• Severe immunosuppression from either disease or therapy
• Receipt of an antibody-containing blood product in the previous 3–11 months, depending on the type of blood product received
• Moderate or severe acute illness with or without fever
• History of thrombocytopenia or thrombocytopenic purpura
• History of having already received the recommended doses of vaccine or evidence of immunity by a positive antibody test