15 IN NC HAVE HAD MEASLES THIS WINTER; 1 IN HOSPITAL

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said one person is now in the hospital with measles.

This is the state's first reported hospitalization. The department did not provide information about where the person is hospitalized.

The NCDHHS dashboard shows 15 measles cases across the state since the week ending on December 20.

One case was reported in Nash County on Jan. 27. The other 14 cases were in Union, Mecklenburg, Buncombe, Polk and Cabarrus Counties. Buncombe County has the most reported cases, with 6.

State data shows all but one of the people who got measles in North Carolina this winter were under the age of 17. 74% of them had not been vaccinated, and local health leaders said more cases are expected. 

"When South Carolina got its first cases, we all said it was just a matter of time, a matter of not if but when we will get cases,” said Dr. David Wohl, a professor of medicine and co-principal investigator of the Global UNC Infectious Diseases Clinical Trials unit.

Wohl said the rise in cases is due to under-vaccination. 

“That’s where we’re seeing these cases emerge,” he said.

Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact and through the air. 

Nationwide, 11% of people who have gotten measles this past year have ended up in the hospital. For children, Wohl said, this could be devastating, adding that the rates of hospitalization are higher for children. They could end up with pneumonia or brain swelling.

“Young children under a year of age who are not eligible for the vaccine, if they get exposed, they could get measles,” Wohl said. “And that’s where we’ve seen some of these cases of hospitalizations, in very young babies.”

The virus can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person was present. Symptoms of measles usually begin 7-14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure and may include:

• High fever (may spike to more than 104 degrees)

• Cough

• Runny nose

• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)

• Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth (Koplik Spots) two to three days after symptoms begin

• A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin

• Measles can also cause complications, including diarrhea, pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and suppression of the immune system.

Dr. Zack Moore, NC Department of Health and Human Services’ State Epidemiologist, said stopping the outbreak is going to be difficult.

“There’s a lot that can be done and has to be done both in advance of and during a measles outbreak. Ultimately, there’s a lot of pieces of it that are beyond our control.”

At an immediate level, Moore said it is important to know where the person who had measles was, who was exposed and taking action to protect anyone who may be susceptible to the disease to stop it from spreading.

On a broader level, Moore said addressing people’s concerns over vaccines and making sure they are readily accessible can also help slow the spread and prevent an outbreak.

Two doses of MMR provide 97% effectiveness in preventing infection, Wohl said. For kids who have had one dose of the MMR, if they are exposed to the virus, they are given that second dose of MMR, Wohl said.

Anyone who develops symptoms should call ahead before visiting a doctor’s office, urgent care or emergency department to prevent possible spread to others.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recommends all unvaccinated people ages 1 year and older receive measles vaccination to protect themselves and those around them. While MMR vaccination is not routinely recommended for children younger than the age of 12 months, MMR vaccination can be safely given to children as young as 6 months if they are at higher risk.

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2026-02-04T18:28:35Z