By Amir Mohammad
Public Health
Dr. Amir Mohammad
During the winter season, as respiratory viral illnesses are being closely monitored, we were notified of the first confirmed case of measles in an unvaccinated child under the age of 10 residing in Fairfield County.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health reported that this child was unvaccinated, travelled internationally and later attended school while infectious. The child began showing symptoms of measles several days later. Those symptoms included cough, runny nose, congestion, fever and a rash starting at the head and spreading throughout the body.
Public health authorities notified us of an Orange resident who was exposed to the unvaccinated child. In accordance with DPH guidelines, contact tracing protocols were initiated and appropriate guidance was provided to the family.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads through airborne particles when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Nearly nine out of 10 people without immunity exposed to the virus will become infected. Some people may develop severe complications, such as pneumonia or encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and have to be hospitalized.
This is the first Connecticut case of measles reported in more than four years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a total of 2,144 confirmed measles cases were reported in the US in 2025; at least three people died. Ninety-three percent of these cases were among unvaccinated individuals, 3 percent had one measles-mumps-rubella dose, and 4 percent had two MMR doses.
The DPH, the American Academy of Pediatrics and several other reputable public health and medical societies recommend all children get two doses of the MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15-months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age.
It is imperative that we remain vigilant. Check your vaccination status, especially for MMR. Talk to your doctor about boosters or catch-up shots if needed.