This winter has seen a concerning rise in measles cases in North Carolina, with 15 individuals affected and one currently hospitalized. This alarming report comes from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, which noted that this hospitalization marks the first of its kind for the state this season. However, specific details regarding the location of the hospital remain undisclosed.
According to the NCDHHS dashboard, which tracks infectious diseases, since the week concluding on December 20, there have been 15 reported cases of measles statewide. Among these, one case was documented in Nash County as recently as January 27, while the remaining 14 cases were distributed across Union, Mecklenburg, Buncombe, Polk, and Cabarrus Counties, with Buncombe County experiencing the highest number at six cases.
A striking statistic emerges from the state data: nearly all of those diagnosed with measles this winter, except for one individual, were under 17 years old. Alarmingly, 74% of these cases involved unvaccinated individuals, highlighting a critical public health concern.
Measles is notably one of the most contagious diseases known, yet it is entirely preventable through vaccination. The disease spreads easily from person to person and can also linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area. Symptoms typically manifest between 7 to 14 days following exposure, but may take up to 21 days to appear. Common symptoms include:
• A high fever, which can exceed 104 degrees
• Persistent cough
• Runny nose
• Red and watery eyes, known medically as conjunctivitis
• Tiny white spots inside the cheeks, gums, and roof of the mouth, referred to as Koplik Spots, appearing two to three days post-symptom onset
• A distinctive red, raised, blotchy rash that generally starts on the face and progresses to the trunk, arms, and legs three to five days after the initial symptoms appear
The complications associated with measles can be severe and include diarrhea, pneumonia, encephalitis (which is brain swelling), and a temporary weakening of the immune system. For anyone displaying these symptoms, it is crucial to contact a healthcare provider before arriving at their office or an emergency department to prevent potential transmission of the virus to others.
In light of this outbreak, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services strongly advises that all unvaccinated individuals aged one year and older receive the measles vaccine to safeguard their health and that of their community. Although the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is not routinely recommended for children under 12 months, it can be administered safely to children as young as six months if they are deemed to be at higher risk.
In related news, the Nash County Health Department has issued a warning to the public following the discovery of an unvaccinated child who tested positive for measles after traveling internationally and visiting the UNC Health Nash Emergency Department.
The measles situation is not isolated to North Carolina. South Carolina is currently grappling with an outbreak that has already surpassed the case count from Texas’s outbreak in 2025. In just over a month, officials have reported nearly 600 new measles cases, totaling 789. This rapid surge means that the nationwide case count in the U.S. is approaching 20% of the total recorded for 2025 within merely the first month of 2026.
According to recent information from CNN, the United States experienced an unprecedented number of measles cases in 2025, and the spread shows no signs of slowing as we enter the new year. So far, at least 171 cases have been reported in the first two weeks of 2026, which is alarmingly close to the average annual total seen over the last quarter-century since the disease was declared eliminated.
