Mecklenburg County healthy officials are investigating two confirmed cases of measles in Mecklenburg County.
Health officials said Thursday that an adult came into contact with someone while traveling. Meanwhile, a child had been in contact with another child from Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Both are recovering at home in isolation, officials said.
“With measles cases now confirmed in Mecklenburg County, we encourage everyone to get up to date on their MMR vaccine to protect their health and our community,” said Dr. Kimbelry Scott, Mecklenburg County Public Health interim director. “While we have strong vaccine coverage in the county, we continue to see how fast measles can spread with measles cases increasing in the Carolinas. Vaccination is the best tool we have to prevent an outbreak here.”
The South Carolina Department of Health has reported over 600 measles around Spartanburg County in the current outbreak. Two cases were confirmed in Cabarrus County last week.
According to the CDC, there were 2,144 confirmed cases of measles in the United States in 2025 – the highest number of cases since measles was declared eliminated in 2000.
What Is Measles and Why It Matters
Measles (rubeola) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus that spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, or talking. It can also linger in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours where an infected person was present. The disease often begins with symptoms that resemble a cold. Symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure and include:
- High Fever (may spike to more than 104 degrees)
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
- A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on the face, spreads to the trunk, arms and legs 3-5 days after symptoms begin
An individual can spread these infectious particles up to 4 days before they develop a rash or before they even know they are sick. Complications from measles can include pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis), permanent hearing loss, and death. Children under 5, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable.
If You’ve Been Exposed
If you believe you have been in contact with someone who has measles:
- Do not visit a healthcare facility without calling ahead. This helps avoid spreading the virus to others.
- Contact your provider or CHA immediately to assess your immunity and determine next steps.
- Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP)—including the MMR vaccine or immunoglobulin—may be recommended within a limited timeframe after exposure.
Individuals without evidence of immunity may be asked to quarantine for 21 days after the last known exposure.
Vaccination Guidelines
- Children: First MMR dose at 12–15 months; second dose at 4–6 years
- Adults:
- 1 dose if born in 1957 or later and no prior vaccination
- 2 doses for high-risk adults (e.g., healthcare workers, international travelers, college students)
Vaccines are available through your primary care provider, local pharmacies, and CHA. To schedule an appointment with CHA, please call (704) 920-1399.
