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This page will be updated as the situation evolves.

IKC's Measles/MMR Vaccine Resource Hub

Measles (rubeola) is more than “just a rash,” it's a highly contagious viral illness that can cause severe health complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and death, especially in unvaccinated individuals.

With the rising outbreaks of measles across the United States, and the first measles-related death in a decade, it's crucial to stay alert and informed. Understanding measles, its symptoms, and how to stay protected is essential for keeping our communities safe.

  • Measles is highly contagious. If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected. (source: CDC)
  • Your best defense against measles is a measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, with two doses being 97% effective at preventing measles (one dose is 93% effective). The vaccine can also prevent or reduce the severity of infection if administered to an unvaccinated person within 3 days after an exposure. (source: KDHE, Immunize.Org)
  • The MMR vaccine can keep a child in school if they are exposed but vaccinated.

2025 Confirmed Measles Cases*

*Sources: CDC (last updated March 7, 2025)
New Mexico, Oklahoma & Texas (last updated March 11, 2025)

General Resources for Parents & Community

Symptoms

  • Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Measles typically begins with:
    • High fever (may spike to more than 104°F)
    • Cough
    • Runny nose (coryza)
    • Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis/pink eye)
  • 2-3 days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots (koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth.

  • Measles rash appears 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms. In a typical presentation, which might be seen in under or unimmunized individuals, it usually begins as flat red spotsthat spread from the head to the trunk, and then out to the arms and legs. Small raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots.
    • Small raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots.
    • The spots may become joined together as they spread from the head to the rest of the body.
    • When the rash appears, a person's fever may spike to more than 104° Fahrenheit.
    Measles in vaccinated individuals may present mildly, with low-grade or no fever and atypical rash. For additional images of measles rash, refer to CDC Photos of Measles or Immunize.org Measles Images (warning: some images are graphic).

    Complications

    Measles can be serious in all age groups. However, children younger than 5 years of age, adults older than 20 years of age, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems are more likely to suffer from measles complications.

  • Common Complications
    • Ear Infections
    • Diarrhea
  • Severe Complications in Children and Adults
    • Hospitalization
        About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the U.S. who get measles is hospitalized.
    • Pneumonia
        As many as 1 out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children.
    • Encephalitis
        About 1 child out of every 1,000 who get measles will develop encephalitis (swelling of the brain). This can lead to convulsions and leave the child deaf or with intellectual disability.
    • Death
        Nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.
    • Complications during pregnancy
        If you are pregnant and have not had the MMR vaccine, measles may cause birth prematurely, or have a low-birth-weight baby.

    What to do if you have measles

      If you suspect you or one of your family members has been exposed to measles, call your healthcare provider or local health department immediately - please do not go directly to your healthcare provider or health department. Measles is highly contagious, and you could infect others in the waiting room and/or while traveling to and from the office, if you have been exposed to the disease. A healthcare provider will be able to tell you the next steps to take to protect yourself, your family and your community.

      There is no treatment or cure for measles. Medical care is supportive and can help relieve symptoms and address any complications that may develop.

      An MMR vaccine can also prevent or reduce the severity of infection if administered to an unvaccinated person within 3 days after an exposure (source: KDHE)

    How to Stay Protected Through Vaccination

    The best defense against measles is the MMR vaccine, with two doses being 97% effective against measles (one dose is 93% effective). When more than 95% of people in a community are vaccinated (coverage >95%) most people are protected through community immunity (herd immunity).

    *Click Graphic to Expand Source: CHOP Vaccine Education Center

    IKC's "Protect Against Measles" Campaign

    Click on an image to view and save to your computer.
    Suggested Hashtags: #Measles #MeaslesOutbreak #MMR #MMRVaccine #MeaslesVaccine #MeaslesSymptoms #Parents #MeaslesAwareness #MeaslesComplications #VaccinesSaveLives #VaccineSafety #CommunityImmunity #HerdImmunity

    Know the Symptoms of Measles Social Media Graphic

    Caption: 🤒 Worried about measles? If you think you or one of your family members may have been exposed and are experiencing the following symptoms, it could be measles!
    Symptoms of measles usually begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Two or three days after, tiny white spots may appear inside the mouth. Three to five days later, the start of a rash will spread.
    📞 Call your healthcare provider or local health department right away to avoid potentially spreading it to others. There is no treatment or cure for measles, but a healthcare provider can help relieve symptoms and address any complications that may develop. An MMR vaccine can also prevent or reduce the severity of infection if received within 3 days after an exposure.
    For more information visit: https://immunizekansascoalition.org/measles or https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/1501/Measles-Rubeola

     What Measles Can Look Like Social Media graphic

    Caption: With measles outbreaks on-the-rise, it's always best to ensure that your child is up-to-date on their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations. Measles vaccination is ✅ 97% effective (one dose is 93% effective) at preventing measles, which can potentially develop into severe complications like pneumonia, the most common cause of measles-related death in children. Talk to your child's healthcare provider to keep your little one healthy and thriving! 🌟
    For more information visit: https://immunizekansascoalition.org/measles or https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/1501/Measles-Rubeola
    Sources: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=45, https://www.immunize.org/news/iz-express/issue/1802/#IZ1, https://www.cdc.gov/measles/signs-symptoms/index.html

    If Your Child Has Measles Social Media Graphic

    Caption: Measles is serious and can spread quickly. If your child has measles, it's important to take precautions before giving it to others!

    • Call Your Healthcare Provider! 📞 Symptoms of measles usually begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Two or three days after, tiny white spots may appear inside the mouth. Three to five days later, the start of a rash will spread.
    • Stay at Home! 🏠 Stay away from family and friends for up to 4 days after the rash begins to prevent passing measles to others. Up to 9 out of 10 people close to an infected person will become infected themselves if they lack immunity to measles.
    • Get Protected! 💪To reduce the chance of severe side effects and protect your child from future infections, talk to your child's healthcare provider about the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine - it's 97% effective at preventing measles (one dose is 93% effective)!

    For more information visit: https://immunizekansascoalition.org/measles or https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/1501/Measles-Rubeola
    Sources: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=45, https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/index.html

    Measles 101 Social Media Graphic

    Caption: Measles is a serious disease that spreads quickly by something as simple as a cough or a sneeze! 🤧 It's one of the most contagious diseases in the world. If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected.
    To protect your child from serious complications from measles, like brain swelling, pneumonia, and even death, ensure they are caught up on their MMR vaccinations. The vaccine is given in two doses: the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second at 4 to 6 years of age.
    Choose protection - the MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing measles (one dose is 93% effective)! ✅
    For more information visit: https://immunizekansascoalition.org/measles or https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/1501/Measles-Rubeola
    Sources: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=45, https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/index.html

    The Risk of Measles vs. Vaccination Social Media Graphic

    Caption: The risk of measles greatly outweighs any potential side-effects from the MMR vaccine. Would you ever risk your child riding in a car without a seatbelt? 🚗 Or on a boat without a lifejacket? 🚤
    About 3 out of 10 people who get measles will develop complications, and 1 out of 5 unvaccinated people with an infection will be hospitalized. Don't risk your child experiencing severe complications like pneumonia or brain swelling.
    💪 The measles vaccination is 97% effective at preventing measles (one dose is 93% effective) - keeping your child healthy and thriving! 🌟
    For more information visit: https://immunizekansascoalition.org/measles or https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/1501/Measles-Rubeola
    Sources: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=45, https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/index.html, and https://www.chop.edu/sites/default/files/mmr-infographic.pdf

    What Measles Looks Like Social Media Graphic

    Caption: Measles is more than “just a rash.” It's highly contagious and can lead to severe illness, resulting in hospitalization. 🤒 Symptoms of measles usually begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes (pink eye). Two or three days after, tiny white spots may appear inside the mouth. Three to five days later, the start of a rash will spread. If you think your child may have been exposed to measles, 📞call your healthcare provider or local health department right away to avoid spreading it to others. There is no treatment or cure for measles, but a healthcare provider can help relieve symptoms and address any complications that may develop.
    For more information visit: https://immunizekansascoalition.org/measles or https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/1501/Measles-Rubeola
    Source: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=45