RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has confirmed the state’s first case of measles in 2025, involving a child who had recently traveled to Forsyth and Guilford counties after returning from a country experiencing a measles outbreak.
The infected child, whose identity is being withheld to protect the family’s privacy, became ill while entering North Carolina. Health officials say this is an isolated case but are working quickly to assess and manage any potential risk of community spread.
NCDHHS is partnering with the Forsyth County Department of Public Health and the Guilford County Health Department to determine specific locations and timeframes where others may have been exposed to the virus. While no public exposure sites have been released yet, residents who believe they may have come into contact with the individual are urged to verify their measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination status.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that can be prevented with two doses of the MMR vaccine. The disease spreads through airborne transmission and can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area.
“Getting vaccinated against measles continues to be the most important step we can take to protect ourselves and our loved ones,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “It is important to check with your health care provider to ensure you are current with all your vaccines.”
Health Advisory Issued
Unvaccinated individuals aged one year and older are strongly advised to get vaccinated immediately. Symptoms of measles usually begin 7–14 days after exposure and may include:
- High fever (often over 104°F)
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- Koplik spots (tiny white spots inside the mouth)
- A red, blotchy rash that typically starts on the face before spreading to the rest of the body
About 90% of unvaccinated people exposed to measles will become infected. Approximately one in five people diagnosed with the disease will require hospitalization.
Health officials also noted that most people who may have been exposed in this case are no longer eligible for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), a treatment that can help prevent illness after exposure. However, high-risk groups such as infants, pregnant individuals, and people with weakened immune systems should consult their doctors to determine next steps.
Locations
If you visited a listed location during the dates and times below, review your immunization records or contact your health care provider to make sure you are up to date on the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Important Health Advisory
People who visited locations where the infected child was present during specific timeframes will be notified. Those individuals should:
- Review their immunization records
- Ensure they have received the MMR vaccine
- Monitor for symptoms for 21 days after potential exposure
- Call ahead before seeking medical care if symptoms appear
Most individuals exposed will no longer benefit from post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), but infants, pregnant women, and immunocompromised people should check with their healthcare provider to determine whether any action is needed.
Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease that spreads through the air and can linger in a room for hours. Parents and caregivers are urged to make sure their children are fully vaccinated. The MMR vaccine is safe, effective, and widely available through healthcare providers and local health departments.
For more information on measles and how to get vaccinated, visit dph.ncdhhs.gov/measles.
