ANNE ARUNDEL CO., MD — The Maryland Department of Health announced Friday that officials had confirmed two new measles cases tied to Anne Arundel County.
The diagnoses were linked to Marylanders who "traveled to an area in the U.S. with active measles transmission. "
"The source of exposure is not definitively known at this time," reads the notice. "Health officials are working to identify people who may have come into contact with the individuals."
Officials did not specify where the individuals had traveled.
It's unknown whether there is any connection between the two new cases and the individual who was identified as the state's first confirmed measles case last Sunday.
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Measles is a highly contagious disease that is spread through the air when an infectious person breaths, coughs, or sneezes. It can also spread through direct contact after touching a contaminated area.
The measles virus can remain in the air for a period of two hours. A person with measles is contagious, beginning four days before the rash appears until four days after the rash begins.
Anyone who visited the following areas during any of these times may have been exposed:
“Vaccination remains essential to protecting ourselves, our families, and our communities against measles and other infectious diseases,” said Maryland Department of Health Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services Dr. Meg Sullivan. “Talk with your healthcare provider to ensure you and your family are up to date with all recommended vaccines, including the MMR vaccine.”
The Maryland Department of Health recommends all eligible people get fully vaccinated against measles. The measles vaccine is routinely recommended at 12–15 months of age for the first dose and the second dose at 4–6 years old. Sometimes a dose is given as early as six to 12 months if there is travel planned to an area that has ongoing measles transmission.
People are generally considered immune to measles if they have had two measles vaccine shots, previously had measles or laboratory evidence of immunity or infection, or were born in the United States before 1957. Those who are most at risk of complications from measles infection are pregnant women, infants less than one year old, and those who are immune compromised.
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is covered for those with health insurance and through the Vaccines for Children Program. Adults who are uninsured or underinsured can check with their local health department about the availability of a free MMR vaccine as part of the Maryland Vaccine Program.
Three cases of measles were identified in Maryland in 2025, one in 2024, one in 2023, and no cases from 2020-2022.
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