With measles cases rising again in parts of the United States, many parents are wondering what this means for their own families. To shed light on the current situation, Erin Perkins, Population Health Planning and Improvement Coordinator for the Rappahannock Area Health District, shares what parents need to know about symptoms, vaccination, and how to protect their children and the wider community.

 

We’ve been hearing more about measles cases in the U.S. recently. What trends are you seeing, and should families in our region be paying attention to this?

We are seeing more cases of measles in Virginia this year. Parents of young children, and anyone who is not vaccinated, should pay attention to this trend. As of March 16, there have been 14 cases of measles reported in 2026. There were just 5 cases reported in all of 2025. 

Why is measles considered such a serious illness, particularly for children?

Measles can be very dangerous for children because infants under the age of 1 year are not able to be vaccinated against the illness. Measles can spread easily and cause high fevers, pneumonia, or swelling in the brain. It can also lead to hospitalizations or even death in some cases. 

How contagious is measles, and where does it tend to spread most easily?

Measles is one of the most contagious respiratory illnesses tracked by health departments. It spreads easily through the air when someone coughs or sneezes. If an unvaccinated person is near someone with measles, they have a 90% chance of becoming sick themselves.

What are the early symptoms parents should watch for if they’re concerned about measles?

Measles symptoms generally appear in two stages. The first stage begins 7-14 days after being exposed and includes a high fever (generally over 101 degrees), a runny nose, watery red eyes, and a cough. The second stage appears 3-5 days after the first symptoms begin. This stage includes a rash that begins on the face and spreads to other areas of the body.

Infected individuals can spread the virus 4 days prior to the rash starting through 4 days after the rash appears. 

Who is most at risk for complications from measles?

Infants under the age of 1 year and unvaccinated individuals are most likely to experience severe symptoms. 

What is the recommended measles vaccination schedule, and how effective is the vaccine?

Virginia is following the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2026 Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule. The first dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended at 12 months old, and the second dose prior to the child entering kindergarten, around age 4-6 years.

If a parent isn’t sure whether their child is vaccinated or fully protected, what should they do?

If parents want to verify their child’s vaccination records, they should contact the child’s pediatrician. They can also visit the Virginia Department of Health’s website and request a copy of their immunization record through a secure online portal. Request Immunization Record - Immunization

What should families do if they believe their child may have been exposed to measles?

Parents should call the child’s healthcare provider right away to report the possible exposure. The healthcare provider can assist with checking the vaccination record and discuss what steps to take next. They can also help arrange a safe visit, so the child does not put other children or unvaccinated individuals in the waiting room at risk of exposure. 

What is the most important thing families can do right now to help protect their children and community?

The most important thing families can do is to make sure all members of the family who can be vaccinated against measles are up to date on those vaccinations. Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide the strongest protection, which is about 97% effective. Keeping vaccination rates high not only protects the person vaccinated, but it also helps prevent measles from spreading to others in the community. This is especially helpful in preventing the spread of illness to babies under 1 year old and others who cannot be vaccinated.

For more up to date information, visit vdh.virginia.gov/measles/.