Louisiana, Missouri and Virginia report first measles cases of 2025
Louisiana, Missouri and Virginia have all reported their first measles cases in 2025, and they say all three patients' cases are linked to international travel.
The most recently announced case in northwest Virginia is a child in the 0 to 4-year age range who had recently traveled internationally, according to the state's health department. Officials did not clarify if the child was vaccinated against the virus.
'This first case of measles in Virginia this year is a reminder of how easily this highly contagious disease can spread, particularly with international travel,' said state epidemiologist Laurie Forlano. 'Vaccination remains our best defense against measles and is safe and highly effective at protecting people and preventing outbreaks.'
The Virginia Department of Health identified two Kaiser Permanente medical centers in Woodbridge and Fredericksburg as areas of potential exposure, adding that officials are working to help identify those exposed to the illness.
The Louisiana case is an adult from the southeast of the state who was not vaccinated against measles, according to the Department of Health. The patient received treatment at a hospital and is in isolation, where they will remain until no longer infectious.
'The LDH Office of Public Health is working to identify and notify those who have come into contact with the infected individual,' the department said.
The Missouri measles case involves a child 'associated with recent international travel' visiting Taney County, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said. The child's age and vaccination status is not clear at this time.
'There is no indication of widespread exposure as this person was diagnosed soon after arrival to Taney County,' the department said in an update. 'Exposure is believed to be limited, and known contacts have been identified and contacted.'
These cases come amid the largest measles outbreak the U.S. has faced in six years. Even given the outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has remained relatively silent on the public health threat, providing just weekly updates on its website and sending an alert to doctors last month.
Earlier this month, the Texas Department of State Health Services said the measles toll in the state rose to 481 confirmed cases, including six young children at a day care center in Lubbock. Fifty-six people have been hospitalized in the area since the disease started spreading in late January.
The CDC sent 2,000 doses of the measles-mumps-rubella, or MMR, vaccine to Texas health officials at their request, but hasn't held a news briefing about the illness since 2019, when two large outbreaks in New York threatened to reverse the United States' status of having eliminated the virus.
Before this year, the United States had not had a measles death in a decade, and a child had not died of measles since 2003.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time Business News
4 hours ago
- Time Business News
Health Department Awards Optus $33M Contract for Medicare Communications Infrastructure
The Department of Health has awarded Australian telecommunications giant Optus a $33 million contract to provide critical communications services underpinning Australia's Medicare and e-health systems, marking a significant vote of confidence in the carrier following recent cybersecurity challenges. The three-year deal, with potential extension to six years, was confirmed through a contract notification posted on the government's AusTender procurement website. The agreement consolidates Optus's position as a strategic telecommunications provider to the federal government. Under the arrangement, Optus will deliver what the company describes as 'a fully managed Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) solution for the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, supporting its digital transformation.' The contract represents a consolidation of various telecommunications services previously spread across multiple arrangements. Optus has historically maintained substantial portions of the Health Department's carrier contracts, but the new deal brings together disparate services under a unified framework. The award comes as the Albanese government prioritizes securing core digital infrastructure supporting Medicare and broader e-health services. The telecommunications backbone provided under the contract will underpin the delivery of essential health services to millions of Australians. The deal also signals renewed government confidence in Optus following a turbulent period for the carrier. The company was among several major Australian corporations targeted by Russian-linked ransomware attacks, drawing criticism from former Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil. The cyberattacks resulted in the application of sanctions following what officials described as malicious raids on critical infrastructure providers. Despite these security challenges, the Health Department's decision to award the substantial contract to Optus suggests the government views the carrier as having adequately addressed previous vulnerabilities. The Network-as-a-Service model allows the Health Department to access telecommunications infrastructure without the need for significant capital investment in physical network equipment, while ensuring reliable connectivity for critical health system operations. The contract timeline provides flexibility for both parties, with the initial three-year term allowing for performance evaluation before potential extension to the full six-year period. This structure enables the government to maintain service continuity while preserving options for future procurement decisions. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
From September, Singapore mandates measles shots for helpers in homes with unvaccinated kids under seven
SINGAPORE, June 11 — From September 1, all domestic helpers in Singapore working in homes with children under the age of seven who are not fully vaccinated against measles must themselves be immunised, the country's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced yesterday. The move is aimed at safeguarding 'unvaccinated young children who are at higher risk of serious health complications from measles infections', said MOM, as reported by Channel News Asia (CNA). Singapore has already recorded 10 measles infections in 2025 as of the week ending May 10, just one shy of the total 11 cases reported in all of 2024, according to the Ministry of Health. Employers applying for or renewing work permits for migrant domestic workers (MDWs) must now declare: Whether the domestic helper is already vaccinated or immune to measles Whether all children under seven in the household are fully vaccinated If unvaccinated, whether a vaccination appointment has been booked Domestic helpers may be exempted if they are already immune — either through previous infection or past vaccination — or if all children under seven in the home have been fully immunised. Proof of immunity, such as vaccination records or serology test results, may be required. Employers are advised to check their domestic helper's immunity status well before permit renewal. Households with immunocompromised members are also strongly encouraged to verify their helper's measles immunity or arrange for vaccination. To meet the requirement, domestic helpers must receive two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, spaced at least 28 days apart. The vaccine is available at private GP clinics, with the cost to be paid by employers. MOM also warned against false declarations. 'If employers with children below seven years old are found with MDWs who are not immune against measles, their work pass privileges may be suspended until vaccination proof is submitted,' the ministry said. Random checks and documentary audits will be conducted to ensure compliance. While Singapore maintains high overall vaccination rates — over 95 per cent for the first MMR dose and 90 per cent for the second among resident two-year-olds — sporadic cases are expected, MOM said, citing the 'highly transmissible nature of the disease'. The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) stressed that despite strong local immunity, 'the surge in measles cases globally and regionally continues to pose public health risks, particularly for those without measles immunity'. Measles, which spreads through airborne droplets, has been part of Singapore's compulsory childhood immunisation schedule since 1985.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Avoid drinking tap water for now if served by these Pierce County utilities
Avoid drinking tap water until further notice if you're served by Ashford Water District or the S & I system of Washington Water Service, according to notices this week from the state Department of Health. 'This water system experienced a main break with pressure loss,' a notice for Ashford Water District said Sunday. 'When water lines lose pressure, potentially harmful contaminants can enter the water system. As a safety precaution, customers should boil their water or use bottled water until further notice.' Another water system in Pierce County, S & I under Washington Water Service, was flagged as unsafe with a similar message on the state Department of Health website Tuesday. A public notice on the Ashford Water District website says that chlorine will remain in the system for three days and will be flushed out over five to seven days. Then, water samples will be tested in a lab. 'When all samples test Satisfactory, Ashford Water District will then lift the Boil Water Order,' the notice says. Two Ashford businesses, Paradise Village Restaurant and coffee stop Rise and Grind, were closed Tuesday afternoon due to water safety concerns, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department website. The News Tribune called Ashford Water District and Washington Water Service for more information but was unable to reach a spokesperson Tuesday. Ashford Water District and S & I are both classified as Group A water systems, which means they 'have 15 or more service connections or serve 25 or more people 60 or more days per year,' according to the health department website.