A woman scratches a measles rash. An Alabamian living and working outside the state tested positive for measles, the Alabama Department of Public Health reported Thursday. (Getty Images)
An Alabamian living and working outside the state has tested positive for measles, but is not related to any known exposures in the state, the Alabama Department of Public Health said Thursday.
The individual was unvaccinated, according to ADPH. The department was unable to release any other identifying information on Thursday afternoon.
“However, it serves as a reminder that unvaccinated individuals can be exposed to measles while traveling within the United States or internationally and may unknowingly bring the virus home, where it can be spread to others,” a statement from the department said Thursday.
As of Friday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 2,260 cases reported by 44 states of the highly contagious virus. In 2025, there were 2,289 cases reported by 45 states.
There was one confirmed case of measles in Alabama in 2025: an unvaccinated child in the northern part of the state who was under five years old. The child later recovered.
Symptoms of the disease can take seven to 14 days to present after infection, and can be particularly dangerous for infants and young children. Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes and a rash.
ADPH said the best way to prevent measles is the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Children should get the first dose of the vaccine between 12 and 15 months, and the second dose between 4 and 6 years old before starting school. Adults should get one or two doses depending on individual risk factors, according to the department.
“Measles is a serious, highly contagious viral respiratory illness that spreads through droplets sprayed into the air when someone with measles sneezes or coughs. If exposed, unvaccinated people have a 90 percent chance of becoming infected,” the department’s statement read Thursday.
According to the CDC, 95.2% of Alabama kindergarteners were vaccinated against the disease for the 2024-25 school year. In the 2023-24 school year, 93.8% of kindergarteners were vaccinated. Herd immunity against the disease is reached at 95% vaccination.
From Alabama Reflector Post Url: Visit
Author: Anna Barrett