DOH Issues Advisory on Increase in Measles Cases in U.S. and Canada

(March 3, 2025) On Feb. 26, 2025, the NYS Department of Health (DOH) issued a health advisory to raise awareness of the increase in cases of measles across the U.S. and Canada. There are reported outbreaks in several states including New Jersey, Texas, and New Mexico, as well as Canada. There have been two unrelated NYC cases in 2025, and no cases reported in other parts of the state. Most of the cases seem to be occurring in unvaccinated people. The advisory warns of the possibility of “immune amnesia,” or the resetting of the immune system, that can occur among individuals who are infected with measles. This can cause increased susceptibility to other infectious diseases after a measles infection.

Clinicians should educate patients about vaccines that provide protection against measles, especially important before travel to areas in which measles outbreaks are occurring. Be alert for patients who have febrile rash illness and symptoms consistent with measles. Report patients with suspected measles immediately to the local health department of the patient’s residence. If the residence is in NYC, report people with suspected measles immediately to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) at 866-692-3641.

Health care providers should test for measles in individuals presenting with rash and fever, cough, conjunctivitis, and coryza, especially if they have traveled to or from areas with known measles outbreaks. Samples outside of NYC should be sent to the DOH Wadsworth Center. For testing in NYC, when the provider calls to report the suspected case, arrangements will be made for testing at the NYC DOHMH laboratory.

More information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), DOH, and NYC DOHMH can be found here, here, and here.

Contact: Carrie Mosley, cmosley@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8383 ext. 147