Suspected case of Measles under investigation in Lee County, Alabama
LEE COUNTY, Ala. (WRBL) — The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is investigating a suspected case of measles in Lee County involving an unvaccinated individual who was not yet eligible to receive the vaccine. The case is currently under review as part of ADPH's standard communicable disease response.
Health officials say while the individual is confirmed to be unvaccinated, they were too young to have received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The ADPH is now working closely with local medical providers to identify any other unvaccinated individuals who may need the MMR vaccine as a precaution.
'At this time, given that most eligible Alabamians are vaccinated against measles, the risk for an outbreak remains low,' ADPH officials said in a statement. 'However, some individuals will need to be vaccinated as part of this ongoing investigation.'
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through coughing, sneezing, and close contact. In rare but serious cases, it can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death — particularly in young children, the immunocompromised, and unvaccinated populations.
'Measles vaccine is safe and highly effective in producing lifelong immunity against this potentially deadly disease,' said Dr. Karen Landers, ADPH's Chief Medical Officer and a pediatrician. 'Our citizens can protect themselves and others by ensuring that all eligible persons are vaccinated.'
ADPH says anyone who may have been exposed is being contacted directly by health officials or their healthcare providers. Due to patient privacy laws and HIPAA regulations, no additional personal information about the suspected case is being released at this time.
For more information on measles symptoms, vaccine eligibility, and how to protect yourself, visit: https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/immunization/measles.html.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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