Measles is making a surprising comeback, catching many doctors off guard.
In North Carolina, 7-year-old twin boys went to an emergency room with fever, cough, rash, and pink eye. It took hospital staff over two hours to isolate them. By that time, they had exposed at least 26 people to the virus before they were diagnosed with measles.
Experts highlight that many doctors today have rarely seen actual cases of measles, relying mostly on textbooks. “Most physicians treating patients now have never witnessed a measles case,” said Dr. Andy Lubell from True North Pediatrics.
Measles was considered eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 due to widespread vaccination, reducing annual cases from millions to about 180, according to the CDC. However, that success is fading. Health officials in North Carolina reported at least 20 measles cases since December. Nationwide, more than 3,000 cases have been reported in 2025 alone, though the real number might be higher.
The tricky part? Measles can easily be mistaken for other illnesses at first. Early symptoms like fever, cough, and a runny nose resemble the flu or cold, making it hard to identify. By the time a rash appears, the infected person can already be contagious for days, putting many others at risk.
Dr. Erica Kaufman West from the American Medical Association explains that once someone is exposed, they could develop symptoms after up to 21 days. “It’s a long wait if you lack immunity,” she said.
Measles is highly contagious; one infected person can spread it to up to 18 others in an unvaccinated group. This rate is significantly higher than COVID-19, which typically infects just one to three people. Dr. Sanchi Malhotra from UCLA emphasizes the challenges of controlling its spread due to its contagious nature.
Vaccination is the primary defense against measles. The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is about 97% effective. Dr. Mehmet Oz, a prominent health figure, urges vaccination as a solution to the outbreak.
Despite the vaccine’s effectiveness, vaccination rates are slipping. Among U.S. kindergartners, coverage dropped from 95.2% in 2019-2020 to 92.5% in 2024-2025, falling below the level needed to prevent outbreaks. Unfortunately, 96% of reported measles cases this year are in unvaccinated individuals, primarily affecting children and teens.
The consequences of measles can be serious. For every 1,000 infected children, about one may develop encephalitis, and up to three may die. In 2025, three unvaccinated individuals lost their lives from measles in the U.S.
With over 1,100 cases reported in just the first two months of 2026, experts warn of more potential fatalities. Dr. Paul Offit from the Vaccine Education Center implores that with more families choosing not to vaccinate, we can expect increased illness and hospitalizations.
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