Third case of measles confirmed in Missouri this year
Health officials say the risk to the general public is low and there is no indication of widespread exposure. The DHSS is working closely with the New Madrid County Health Department to identify and notify individuals who may have been exposed.
Officials stress that this case is not connected to any previous measles cases reported in Missouri this year in Taney County on April 18 and then in St. Louis on April 30.
As of May 6, 2025, Texas has reported 702 confirmed measles cases, primarily affecting children and teens. The majority of these cases are concentrated in Gaines County, which alone accounts for over 57% of the total cases.
Two young girls have died, and 91 people have been hospitalized in Texas. Health experts attribute the outbreak to a high rate of nonmedical vaccine exemptions among schoolchildren and warn that the U.S. may be approaching a resurgence of endemic measles, a disease previously declared eliminated nationwide 25 years ago.
The outbreak has also spread to neighboring New Mexico and Oklahoma, raising concerns about the potential for further transmission. While there is no indication of widespread exposure in Missouri, health officials are taking proactive measures to prevent the virus from reaching the state.
According to the DHSS, measles can spread through direct contact with an infected person or through the air when someone coughs or sneezes. The virus can linger in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area.
Health officials urge anyone who suspects they may have measles, or who may have been exposed, to isolate and contact their healthcare provider before going to a clinic or hospital. This helps prevent further spread of the virus.
DHSS says vaccination remains the best defense against measles. Two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine are about 97% effective in preventing the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children receive their first MMR dose at 12 to 15 months of age and a second dose between ages 4 and 6. Unvaccinated adults are also encouraged to get caught up on their vaccinations.
Children too young to receive the vaccine are especially vulnerable to severe complications from measles, highlighting the importance of community-wide immunization efforts.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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