First MD Measles Case Of 2026 Confirmed In Traveler

BALTIMORE, MD — A case of measles in a Baltimore metro area resident who recently traveled internationally was confirmed Sunday by state health officials. It is the state's first measles case of 2026.

Maryland Department of Health officials are working to identify people who may have come into contact with the individual.

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Measles is a highly contagious disease that is spread easily through the air when an infectious person breaths, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after the infected person leaves the area. The disease is also spread by direct contact and after touching infected surfaces.

Anyone who visited these during any of these dates and hours may have been exposed:

• Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport’s Customs federal inspection station in the international terminal arrivals area, and lower level international bag claim area, on April 12 from 7:50 to 10:30 p.m.
• FastMed Urgent Care (2827 Smith Ave. Baltimore), on April 14, from 5 to 8 p.m., and on April 17 from noon to 3:30 p.m.
• Sinai Hospital’s emergency department main waiting area and pediatric emergency department, on April 17 from 3:30 to 7:10 p.m.

Early symptoms of measles are a fever of more than 101 degrees; runny nose; cough; and red, watery eyes. Usually, one to four days after the early symptoms, a red rash appears on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Symptoms typically develop 10 to 14 days after exposure but can develop as soon as seven days and as long as 21 days after exposure.

A person with measles is contagious, beginning four days before the rash appears until four days after the rash begins.

What to Do If You Think You May Have Been Exposed

• Find out if you have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles previously. If you have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, you are generally considered protected. To check your immunization status, call your healthcare provider or request records securely online via My Immunization Record.
• People, especially those not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles, who were at any of these locations during the possible exposure times should monitor themselves for any early symptoms of measles for 21 days after the potential exposure.
• Exposed individuals who develop a fever or other symptoms of measles should not go to child care, school, work, or out in public, and should contact their healthcare provider. They should call their health care provider before going to a waiting room or emergency department so that the facility can take measures to prevent measles from spreading to others.
• If you are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles (i.e., you already had measles) and you might have been exposed, call your healthcare provider or your local health department to discuss the best next steps for you. If your exposure occurred on or after April 14, you may qualify for post-exposure treatments.

“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. This is the first case in 2026.