Measles

 
 
 
 
 
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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Last Updated: 8/28/2026

Data is updated on weekdays, Monday-Friday. Data is not updated on weekends or holidays.

Measles is a disease caused by a highly contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat of an infected person. It can easily spread to others through coughing and sneezing and can live in an airspace for up to two hours after a person with measles has occupied the area. 

The average incubation period for measles is approximately 10 to 12 days but can range from 7 to 21 days. People with measles are usually considered infectious from 4 days before rash onset to 4 days after rash onset. 

Measles can cause severe complications. About 1 in 5 people in the U. S. who get measles will be hospitalized, 1 out of every 1,000 children with measles will develop brain swelling called encephalitis, which can lead to brain damage, and 1 to 3 out of 1,000 children with measles will die even with good medical care. Ninety percent of unvaccinated people who are exposed to measles will become sick.

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    Measles Update

    Many countries experienced significant measles outbreaks in 2025, including the United States, with 2,289 cases reported across 45 jurisdictions. As of August 20,  2026, 2,777 confirmed measles cases were reported in the United States in 2026. Among these, 2,761 measles cases were reported by 47 jurisdictions. 94% of cases have occurred in unvaccinated or unknown vaccine status individuals, and 66% of cases have been in children 19 years and younger.

    View information about the national Measles situation.

    Nebraska has identified 3 cases of measles in 2025 and 3 cases of measles in 2026. There are currently no active cases of measles in Nebraska. Prior to 2025, Nebraska identified 1 case of measles in 2017.

    Nebraska DHHS and local public health departments conduct thorough investigations of each case, including reaching out to any identified contacts, and notifying the public of locations of possible exposure. The best prevention for measles is the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.


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    ​Frequently Asked Questions​

    What is measles? 

    Measles is a serious, highly contagious disease that spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or by direct contact with infected nose or throat secretions. Measles symptoms can become worse over time leading to severe complications, including death. Children younger than five, adults older than 20, pregnant women, and immunocompromised persons are at the highest risk of serious complications from measles infection.

    What are common symptoms of measles? 

    Symptoms of measles start similar to a common cold, including:

    • Fever of 101F or higher
    • Cough, runny nose, or pink eye

    Two to three later you may start to see:

    • White spots inside the mouth

    Three to five days later you may start to see:

    • A rash, which usually starts on the face, hairline, behind the ears, and neck, and then spreads to the rest of the body

    The fever typically begins about 10 days (range 7 to 18 days) after exposure, and the rash appears about 14 days after exposure. Infants and adults are usually sicker than children and teenagers.

    How can I protect myself and my family? 

    The best way to protect yourself and your family from measles is through vaccination. The measles vaccine is recommended for children at 12-15 months of age, with a second dose recommended at 4-6 years of age. The vaccine is called MMR and is given to help protect from measles, mumps, and rubella. 

    Learn more (YouTube Video)​

    Is the measles vaccine safe? 

    The MMR vaccine is very safe and effective. This vaccine has been used since 1971, protecting generations of Nebraskans with an excellent safety record. Common side effects include soreness at the vaccine site, fever, a mild rash, and temporary pain and stiffness in joints in teenagers and adults who have never been vaccinated before.

    Most adults are recommended to have at least one dose of MMR. Some groups are recommended to have two doses; this includes all persons working in health care and anyone 6 months of age and older who plans to travel internationally.

    Persons born before 1957 are likely immune because they may have had measles.

    Women should not get the vaccine if they are already pregnant or if they plan to become pregnant within three months after getting the vaccine.

    Learn More (YouTube Video)

    What should I do if I was exposed to measles? 

    If you think you or a family member were exposed to measles, we ask that you contact your local health department for guidance. Your local health department staff will ask about where you believe you were exposed and your vaccination status. This will help them decide if you need to remain at home for a period of time to monitor for illness. Your local health department will routinely check in to make sure you are feeling well and ask about any symptoms you might be experiencing. If there is a confirmed measles case in Nebraska, the local health departments will work with the Nebraska DHHS to release official public messaging to notify the community of potential exposure locations and times.

    Learn more (YouTube Video) 

    If I am exposed, will I get sick? 

    Measles is the most contagious virus known to infect humans. To put this in perspective, nine out of 10 people who are in close contact with an individual with measles will be infected if they are not immune. The best way to protect yourself and your family against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases is by immunization.

    Learn More (YouTube Video)

    What to do if I start showing symptoms? 

    If you think that you or your family member are having symptoms of measles, first isolate as best you can from others and then call your primary health care provider, urgent care, or emergency room to arrange for testing. Unless it is an emergency, please do not arrive at a healthcare facility without giving advance notice. The reason we ask you to call ahead is so that our healthcare providers can prepare for your arrival to avoid unnecessary measles exposures to other people in our healthcare facilities.  While waiting for the test result, you should expect that your local health department staff will ask about your travel history, such as vacations, grocery stores, movie theaters, or concerts, and who you may have come into close contact with while you were ill.

    Learn More (YouTube Video)

    Should a person with measles stay home? 

    Measles is very contagious. Someone with measles is contagious from four days before the onset date of the rash through the end of the fourth day after the onset of the rash (the onset date of the rash is day zero). During this time, those infected should stay home and not attend work, school, or social activities unless they are seeking medical care. If seeking medical care, patients should call ahead to the medical facility and local health department to make arrangements to minimize exposures.

    What is the treatment for measles? 

    Treatment includes bed rest, fluids, and medicine for fever and headache. Antibiotics do not help and will not cure measles or prevent the disease. There are no antiviral drugs for treating measles. ​


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