Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by the measles virus. Measles can cause serious health complications, especially for babies and young children.
What are the symptoms of measles?
- High fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- A rash which begins at the face and spreads down the body
How does measles spread?
The measles virus travels through the air. A sick person can spread measles by coughing, sneezing, breathing, or talking. People can get measles when they breathe air with the measles virus, or if they get the virus on their hands and touch their face. Measles can stay in the air for up to two hours, so people can get measles even after a sick person has left the area.
How can we prevent measles?
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the strongest protection against measles. Children normally get the MMR vaccine at one year and four years of age. If people haven’t been vaccinated against measles as a child, they can get the MMR vaccine as an adult. Getting the MMR vaccine is safer than getting sick with measles, and it protects your family and your community.
Most people who get measles in the United States are unvaccinated. When infected people come into contact with a population that includes unvaccinated people or those with weakened immune systems, the virus can spread. People who travel to areas with known measles cases are at risk of getting the disease if they are not vaccinated. People who travel outside the country to areas where measles is common can bring it into the U.S. Getting the measles vaccine is the best way to protect yourself.
If you have any questions about measles vaccination, please talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
For more detailed information about measles and the vaccines that prevent it, visit the Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccine page.
Measles Vaccine Requirements
Washington state requires children entering childcare, kindergarten, or grade school to be vaccinated against measles. You can read more about this requirement on our school and childcare immunizations information web page.
Staff and volunteers at a childcare center, Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), or head start preschool are required to provide documentation showing they have received the MMR vaccine or have immunity from measles. You can read more about this requirement on our MMR Requirement FAQ.
Measles Activity and Surveillance
Visit the Measles Notifiable Conditions page for a summary of measles reporting and testing resources.
View the Measles Cases and Outbreaks web page from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to see measles cases reported in the United States.
Resources and Materials
- Measles Basic Information (PDF)
- Amharic (PDF) | Arabic (PDF) | Burmese (PDF) | Chinese Simplified (PDF) | Chinese Traditional (PDF) | Dari (PDF) | Hindi (PDF) | Khmer (PDF) | Korean (PDF) | Nepali (PDF) | Pashto (PDF) | Russian (PDF) | Somali (PDF) | Spanish (PDF) | Swahili (PDF) | Tigrinya (PDF) | Ukrainian (PDF) | Vietnamese (PDF)
- Most adults in the U.S. are at low risk for measles (PDF)
- Vaccine Safety - Office of Immunization
- Learn about the MMR vaccine
- Frequently asked questions about measles
- "Measles Vaccine: Our Best Protection" flyer (PDF)
- Frequently asked questions about measles in the U.S. (CDC)
- Information for travelers (CDC)
- The Top 4 Things Parents Need To Know About Measles (PDF) (CDC)
- Washington school immunization data and reports
- “Protect Your Family and Community from Measles” brochure (PDF)
- Кір та вакцина (ін'єкція), яка запобігає йому (PDF) (“Measles and the Vaccine that Prevents It” flyer - Ukrainian) (CDC)
- КІР, Більш серйозний, ніж звичайна висипка (PDF) (“Measles: More than just a little rash” infographic - Ukrainian) (CDC)
For Local Health Jurisdictions and Healthcare Providers
- Clinical Overview of Measles (CDC)
- Ask The Experts About Vaccines: MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) (immunize.org)
- Measles Reporting and Investigation Guidelines (PDF)
- Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Measles in Healthcare Settings (CDC)
- Measles – Vaccine Preventable Diseases Surveillance Manual (CDC)
- Clinical Resources for Measles (immunize.org)
- CDC Pink Book chapter on measles (CDC)
- “Could it be Measles?” flyer (PDF)
- Immunization reminder/recall resources (PDF)
- Protect Your Child from Measles Infographic (CDC)