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Measles / Rubeola (vaccine-preventable)

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Prevention

  • Measles is a very contagious, airborne disease.
  • Measles starts with a fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and sore throat, and is followed by a blotchy rash that starts on the face or at the hair line and then spreads all over the body.
  • Young children and adults are at risk for becoming more sick.
  • The best protection against measles is the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine.

Disease information

 

How to prepare

Schools and Child Care Facilities

Infographics

Healthcare Partners

Disease Reporting

What is required?

All cases and outbreaks are reportable to local public health authorities (LPHAs) by individuals, health care providers and clinical laboratories. Providers should err on the side of immediate reporting by contacting their LPHA even if unsure whether a case is really measles.

Cases are subject to worksite, childcare and school restrictions while in the communicable stage of the disease (within 21 days of rash onset). When the disease is no longer communicable, restrictions will be removed by the local public health authority.

Clinical Signs and Symptoms

Early prodromal symptoms of measles include high fever, cough, runny nose (coryza), and conjunctivitis (eye redness). These non-specific symptoms may be followed 2-3 days later by Koplik spots (1-2 mm white spots on the buccal mucosa). Measles rash appears 3-5 days after prodromal symptoms and typically appears first on the head or neck, spreading down the body to affect the trunk, arms, legs and feet. The measles rash is maculopapular and may coalesce or join together as it spreads. Additional information about the signs and symptoms of measles is available from the CDC. Refer to the clinical algorithm for suspected measles cases for additional guidance.

Health Care Providers and Clinical Laboratories

Health care providers and clinical laboratories are required by law to report cases and suspect cases of measles to local health departments immediately, day or night.

Clinical Guidelines

Vaccination and Prophylaxis

Local Public Health

Investigative Guidelines & Case Report Form

Additional Resources

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