Measles

Measles is a highly contagious and acute respiratory viral disease. Measles is caused by a virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person and spreads easily through breathing, coughing, and sneezing. Symptoms include rash, cough, runny nose, eye irritation, and fever. 

Current U.S. outbreak information

Measles is rare in Colorado, but cases and outbreaks still occur every year in the United States. Outbreaks can occur when people at risk for measles get sick and the virus spreads to communities with pockets of unvaccinated people. You can protect your loved ones, yourself, and the community against measles by making sure you are up to date on your measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

• HAN Alert – Measles case identified in the Denver metro area
• Measles vaccination recommendations.
• CDC: Measles cases and outbreaks.

Public

• Learn about measles.
• Find a vaccine provider or visit your local pharmacy.

Health care professionals

• Report this disease immediately.
• Measles Quick Sheet for healthcare providers.
• How to collect measles specimens for testing.
• Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Measles in Healthcare Settings.
• Recommendations for vaccination and assessing immunity in adults.

Public health professionals

• Communicable Disease Manual.
• Measles investigation summary guide. (checklist)
• Questionnaire for people suspected of having measles.
• Measles management timeline (from El Paso County Health Department).
• Measles surveillance work sheet (CDC).

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