PALTmed Measles Statement

Between January 1 and April 4, 2025, 607 measles cases have been confirmed across 21 U.S. states—the highest number recorded in the first three months of any year since 2019. That year, the U.S. reported 704 cases between January 1 and April 26, marking the largest outbreak since measles was declared eliminated in 2000.

Currently:

• 6 outbreaks are ongoing (an outbreak is defined as 3 or more related cases)
• 93% of reported cases are linked to these outbreaks
• 12% of patients have required hospitalization
• 2 deaths have been reported (1 confirmed, 1 under investigation)

Implications for Long-Term and Post-Acute Care Facilities

While the majority of long-term care and post-acute residents—given their age—are presumed to be immune to measles, staff and pediatric care settings remain at risk. In response, PALTmed recommends the following best practices for protecting healthcare personnel and patients:

1. Assess Measles Immunity Among Healthcare Personnel
   1. Healthcare personnel include anyone working in a healthcare setting who may be exposed to patients.
   2. For those born in or after 1957, confirm immunity via:
      1. Documented evidence of two doses of a live measles-containing vaccine
      2. Laboratory evidence of immunity (measles titer)
      3. Laboratory confirmation of a prior measles infection (verbal history of measles does not count)
   3. For those born before 1957, the CDC still recommends confirming immunity because healthcare personnels are at increased risk of exposure and transmission.
      1. ACIP recommends that healthcare facilities should consider vaccination of all unvaccinated healthcare personnel who were born before 1957 and who lack laboratory evidence of measles, mumps, and/or rubella immunity or laboratory confirmation of disease.
2. Resident Immunity
   1. Those born before 1957 are presumed to be immune and do not need measles antibody testing.
   2. For residents born in or after 1957, consider reviewing immunization records if clinically indicated.

Additional Resources

• CDC Guidance on Measles Immunization for Healthcare Personnel (ACIP)
• CDC Interim Infection Control Guidance for Measles in Healthcare Settings
• CDC Weekly Measles Surveillance Data
• Immunize.org Ask the Experts: MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)

For the latest situational updates, consult your local health department or check the CDC's measles surveillance page, updated every Friday.