ALABAMA (WHNT) — While the measles outbreak has yet to reach Alabama, why should we take national warnings seriously?
As of April 17, the Centers for Disease Control confirmed a total of 800 measles cases throughout half of the U.S. States. The CDC said an outbreak is defined as three or more related cases.
So far in 2025, there have been 10 outbreaks and 94% of confirmed cases are outbreak-associated. The following states have been deemed as outbreak states, per the CDC:
The Mayo Clinic said measles is a childhood infection caused by a virus that causes a red, blotchy rash that usually appears first on the face and behind the ears, then spreads downward to the chest and back and finally to the feet. However, while it is more prevalent in children, adults can also get measles.
The Clinic also outlined when someone can spread the measles virus. Roughly, a person can spread the virus to others for about eight days, starting four days before the rash appears and ending when the rash has been on the body for four days.
“I like to think of this like a forest fire with sparks spreading out. If those sparks land in a community with low vaccine coverage, we’re going to see a larger measles outbreak. If it lands in a community with high vaccine coverage, we may only see one or a few cases,” Dr. William Moss, an epidemiology professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and director of the school’s International Vaccine Access Center, told The Hill.
The CDC detailed a timeline for measles, starting with when someone comes into contact with the virus. In total, the infection occurs in stages over two to three weeks.
7-14 days after measles infection: First symptoms show
Symptoms of measles normally show seven to 14 days after contact. It normally begins with a mild to moderate fever, a cough, a runny nose and red, watery eyes.
2-3 days after symptoms begin: Koplik spots
Once symptoms start, the CDC said tiny white spots, known as Koplik spots, may appear inside the mouth.
3-5 days after symptoms begin: Measles Rash
The measles rash normally starts showing three to five days after the first symptoms. The CDC said this usually begins as flat red spots on the face and in the hairline that then spreads down the neck, arms, legs and feet. They are normally small raised bumps that can also appear on top of the flat red spots. During this stage, the fever can spike up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
Recovery
The Mayo Clinic said the measles rash can last about seven days. The rash gradually fades from the face first and then the other body parts, with the rash next, with the thighs and feet last. As other symptoms start to go away, the cough and darkening or peeling of the skin where the rash was can stay for about 10 days.
So far, the CDC said there are two confirmed deaths from measles in 2025, with one death under investigation.
In 2024 alone, there were a total of 285 measles cases with 16 total outbreaks, but zero deaths were reported.
While Alabama has no confirmed cases, there was a scare in March when the Alabama Department of Public Health was notified that an unvaccinated child who traveled through the state tested positive for measles.
Alabama border states, Tennessee and Georgia, have not been as lucky. Tennessee has six confirmed cases currently in 2025. Georgia has reported roughly three cases since January 28, all in Metro Atlanta. The two additional cases were reported by the Georgia Department of Public Health on Feb. 7.
“What is interesting about this current outbreak is the speed at which it’s expanding and increasing,” Dr. Moss told The Hill.
Who is at risk of measles?
The CDC reports that measles can be serious for those in all age groups, but several groups are more likely to have complications from measles: Children younger than 5 years of age, adults older than 20 years of age, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, such as from leukemia or HIV infection.
How to set yourself up for success against measles
“The best way to protect against measles is to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Children may get the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine instead, which protects against chickenpox too. Most people who are vaccinated with MMR & MMRV will be protected for life. Vaccines and high rates of vaccination have made these diseases much less common in the United States,” the CDC said.
Children need two doses of the MMR vaccine.
Older children and adults also need one or two doses of MMR vaccine if they don’t have any evidence of immunity. You can learn more about vaccination to fight measles on the CDC website here.
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