Connecticut Confirms First Measles Case Of 2026

HARTFORD, CT — Connecticut health officials have confirmed the state's first case of measles in 2026, involving an unvaccinated adult from Hartford County who recently returned from international travel.

The state Department of Public Health announced that testing conducted at the State Public Health Laboratory over the weekend confirmed the infection.

The individual is hospitalized and in stable condition, according to state officials, who when asked declined to identify the hometown, age, or gender of the victim.

The resident began experiencing symptoms after returning from an international trip.

Health officials said the travel was not associated with the FIFA World Cup. Reported symptoms included fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, diarrhea and a rash.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nine out of 10 unvaccinated people exposed to the virus will become infected.

The case marks Connecticut's first measles infection of the year.

State officials said Connecticut is among the last states in the nation and in New England to report a measles case in 2026.

Nationally, 2,073 cases have been reported so far this year, a figure that is on pace to surpass the 2,288 cases reported in 2025.

In the past five years, Connecticut has recorded only two other measles cases.

Both involved unvaccinated residents who had recently traveled internationally, according to the Department of Public Health.

Symptoms of measles typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure and often begin with fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and sore throat.

A rash generally develops three to five days later, starting at the hairline and spreading downward across the body. Fevers can exceed 104 degrees.

"Vaccination continues to be the best way to protect yourself and your family from measles," Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said. "One dose of measles vaccine is about 93 percent effective, while two doses are about 97 percent effective. Being vaccinated helps us all protect those who matter most."

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State health officials, the American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical organizations recommend that children receive two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, with the first dose administered between 12 and 15 months of age and the second between ages 4 and 6.

According to the state's 2024-25 School Immunization Survey, 98.2% of Connecticut students had received two doses of the MMR vaccine by kindergarten entry, compared with a national rate of 92.5%. State officials said Connecticut currently has the highest MMR vaccination rate in the nation.

For more information on the announcement, click on this link.