Hospital Corner: March measles
The unwanted passenger:
A person infected with measles and not yet aware is walking through an airport. Suddenly they sneeze. The virus lingers in the air for up to two hours. Everyone who passes through that area could potentially breathe in the virus. How many people will walk through that space in two hours?
For many, this season means spring break, and in the Flathead Valley we have travelers twofold: those coming here to ski and snowboard, and residents heading out to other vacation hotspots and returning home. All these travelers are exposed to the opportunity of inadvertently picking up a souvenir in the form of a virus.
The measles virus is one of the most contagious— a savvy traveler indeed! As of March 6, the measles outbreak that started in Texas and New Mexico, stowed away onboard bodies and spread to Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York City, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Washington state.
“It has been a long time since the measles has been a concern in our country, and people may not realize that it is as serious as it is,” said Jennifer Nelson, Infection Preventionist at Logan Health - Whitefish. “Measles has been so rare because the vaccine so successfully took care of it. Yet, this is a serious disease.”
So far, at least 320 measles cases have been reported in the U.S. in 2025, surpassing the total case count of 285 in 2024.
What happens if you get the measles?
Measles can cause severe health complications, including pneumonia, hearing loss, blindness, inflammation of the brain and death.
Who is protected?
The measles, mumps, rubella or MMR vaccine, first developed in 1963, is the best protection.
People born before 1957 are considered immune or low risk because before the MMR vaccine became available, nearly all children were infected.
Since 1963, children are recommended to receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, one at 12-15 months and a second at 4-6 years old. Those receiving a dose between 1963-1967 may have received an ineffective dose and need to be revaccinated. If you are not sure about receiving the vaccine, contact your primary care provider. They can run a test to determine your immunity.
There is a high likeliness of getting measles if exposed and not vaccinated. If ten non-vaccinated travelers are exposed to the virus, such as walking through the area where someone sneezed in an airport, nine of those people will become infected.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms appear a week to two weeks after exposure. Signs and symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, and three to five days after early symptoms, a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
What to do if you think you or someone in your family may have it:
Stay home! Due to its contagious nature, it is important to stay at home and call your health care provider by phone. If your provider believes you could be infected, they will instruct you how to get tested.
What else can I do?
Make sure you and your family are protected.
“A lot of people may be behind on their appointments and vaccinations due to covid,” said Nelson. “Call your family’s physician and make sure you and your family are up to date.”