Maine CDC Confirms Case of Measles in Maine

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services’ Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) is reporting a case of measles in Maine; the first case in the state since five cases were confirmed in February of this year. The Maine CDC confirmed the latest case on September 15, 2026. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC), as of September 11, there were 3,294 confirmed measles cases reported nationwide in 2026.

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services’ Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) is reporting a case of measles in Maine; the first case in the state since five cases were confirmed in February of this year. The Maine CDC confirmed the latest case on September 15, 2026. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC), as of September 11, there were 3,294 confirmed measles cases reported nationwide in 2026. The individual is an unvaccinated adult from Somerset County. The Maine CDC is working with the facility where potential exposure occurred and is working with them to inform potentially exposed individuals. Individuals who were at the following location* during the timeframe listed below were potentially exposed to measles and should take precautions and should watch for symptoms for 21 days after September 12: Location Date Time MaineGeneral Express Care, Waterville 211 Main Street, Waterville, ME September 12, 2026 8am-11am *Subject to change as the investigation continues Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. If one person has measles, 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will become infected. Symptoms of measles include: Fever Cough Runny nose Red, watery eyes Rash that spreads from the head down. Individuals who develop symptoms should contact their health care provider for instructions before going to the provider’s office or hospital. This will help prevent the spread of further infection. If symptoms are consistent with measles, a health care professional may test to determine a measles infection. Measles can cause severe sickness including pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), and death. An infected person spreads measles through coughs or sneezes. Once infected, a person is contagious from four days before their rash starts through four days afterwards. The virus remains alive for up to two hours on surfaces and in the air. The period from exposure to onset of symptoms is typically 10 to 14 days, but can be longer. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best prevention for measles. Individuals who: have been potentially exposed should review their vaccine history and watch for symptoms. are not immunized or do not know their measles immunization status should get vaccinated. develop symptoms should contact their health provider for instructions before going to the provider’s office or hospital. This will help prevent the spread of further infection. Recommendations: Children – Identify and vaccinate children who are not up to date with their MMR vaccines. All children should receive two doses of MMR vaccine. A health care professional should administer the first dose to children at 12 to 15 months old and the second at 4 to 6 years old. Children 6 to 11 months old who will be traveling internationally or domestically to a region with a known active measles outbreak should receive one dose of MMR vaccine, per the Maine CDC’s expanded recommendations for those traveling to a destination with a known outbreak. This dose is not considered part of the routine two-dose series starting at age 12 months. Adults – All adults should have proof of immunity to measles. Acceptable proof includes one of the following: written documentation of vaccination laboratory evidence of immunity birth before 1957 or laboratory confirmation of disease individuals who received a measles vaccine between 1963 to 1967 are encouraged to speak with their doctor to determine if additional vaccination is needed. Those known to have received an inactivated dose measles vaccine should receive a single dose of MMR. Five percent of people who received measles vaccine between 1963 and 1967 received an inactivated vaccine. For adults with no evidence of immunity to measles, the U.S. CDC recommends one dose of MMR vaccine as soon as possible. Adults who are traveling domestically or internationally to a region known to have an active measles outbreak should receive two doses of the vaccine. Pregnant women should not receive any live virus vaccine during pregnancy, including MMR. Vaccination Information: Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective. The U.S. CDC considers people who received two doses of MMR vaccine as a child protected for life. Some people exposed to the virus may still get measles even if they got the MMR vaccine. In this case, they are more likely to have a milder illness and are also less likely to spread the disease to other people. For More Information: The Maine CDC’s measles webpage: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/measles The U.S. CDC’s measles webpage: http://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html The Maine Immunization Program webpage: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/immunization/