Measles

Missouri has detected measles in the state following outbreaks in several states and countries. Measles is highly contagious and can be life-threatening to anyone who is not vaccinated. Measles can be prevented with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. DHSS is working with local health departments to investigate and respond to prevent further spread.

What you need to know (Missouri Fact Sheet)

1. Measles is a very contagious disease. One person with measles can easily pass it on to 9 out of 10 people around them who are unvaccinated or do not have natural immunity.
   
2. Measles can be very dangerous, especially for babies and immunocompromised adults, and a significant proportion of measles cases will need hospitalization. One in 5 infected persons develops pneumonia, which could be fatal. In some cases, a brain infection may occur and result in swelling, brain damage or death.
   
3. Herd immunity is crucial for preventing disease outbreaks in the community and protecting vulnerable populations who cannot receive vaccines. It can be achieved by 95% of a community being fully vaccinated by two doses of the MMR vaccine.
   
4. Missouri’s measles vaccination rate of 90.14% is too low to protect our kids from outbreaks based on preliminary school-reported data.
   
5. Two doses of the MMR vaccine provides 97% lifetime protection against measles.

County-Level Fact Sheets

Symptoms

Early symptoms (first few days):

• Moderate fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red eyes
• Sore throat

Later symptoms (after a few days):

• Blue-white spots inside the mouth (Koplik spots)
• Red-brown rash that starts at the hairline and spreads down the body
• High fever (can go over 104°F)

The rash usually appears 14 days after exposure. Some immunocompromised people may not develop the rash.

Spread

Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth. The virus can live on surfaces or in the air for up to two hours.

How Long is a Person Contagious?
People are contagious about four days before their rash starts to four days after it appears. If you might have measles, stay home during this time.

Prevention

Measles is actively spreading in several states and countries. If you are unsure of your or your child’s vaccination status, you can request a copy of your immunization record.

How to Prevent Measles

• The best way to prevent measles is to be vaccinated with two doses of a measles-containing vaccine. This is primarily administered as the MMR vaccine.
• The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella.
• Two doses prevent more than 97% of measles infections.

Contact your doctor to schedule a vaccine. Pharmacists can also administer the MMR vaccine to children 7 and up without a prescription.

DHSS operates the state’s Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, which ensures Missouri children, regardless of parent's ability to pay, have access to recommended vaccines. Use the VFC map to find a provider near you.

Request your Immunization Record

When to seek emergency care

Measles typically starts with cough, runny nose, and red eyes and often leads to a rash and fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit. If you think you have measles, get medical care. Symptoms can become worse over time, complications can develop, and measles can be deadly if you don’t receive appropriate care.

If you have any of these symptoms, go to the emergency room immediately:

• A hard time breathing or breathing faster than normal
• Signs of severe dehydration (dry nose and mouth, urinating less than usual)
• Confusion, decreased alertness, or severe weakness
• For young children: a blue color around the mouth, crying without making tears, unusually low energy, or severe loss of appetite

Have someone call the ER to let them know a person with measles is coming in so they can see you away from other patients.

More Resources

• County-Level Fact Sheets
• Preventing Spread in School and Child Care Settings
• Request an Immunization Record
• School Immunization Dashboard
• Vaccines for Children Map

Map

Please use the drop-down box to select a county and view its fact sheet.

The data is self-reported data submitted by public, private and parochial schools in Missouri. Schools are required annually to report aggregate immunization status by grade for all children enrolled in school as required by 19 CSR 20-28.010.