Key Takeaway:
- The Maryland measles outbreak has been declared in Carroll, Cecil, and St. Mary’s counties.
- Statewide cases reach 31, with 27 confirmed since July 15 among unvaccinated residents.
- Officials say there is no evidence of widespread community transmission and urge residents to stay up to date on MMR vaccination.
Maryland health officials have declared a measles outbreak in three counties after confirming 14 new cases among unvaccinated residents, while reporting no public exposures.
The Maryland Department of Health said Monday that the Maryland measles outbreak involves Carroll, Cecil and St. Mary’s counties. Officials said there is no current evidence of widespread community transmission, with most cases occurring among household contacts.
The 14 new cases bring Maryland’s total to 31 confirmed measles cases this year. Twenty-seven cases have been confirmed since July 15, all among unvaccinated residents.
State Tracks Cases Across Four Counties
St. Mary’s County has reported 13 cases, followed by Carroll County with eight and Cecil County with five. Charles County has reported one case among those confirmed since July 15.
Four cases confirmed before July 15 involved residents of Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County and Prince George’s County. Two of those cases were in Anne Arundel County.
State officials said no public exposures have been identified among the 14 new cases linked to the Maryland measles outbreak. The health department is working with county health departments to promote vaccination opportunities and respond to the outbreak.
“Measles is highly contagious, and we are actively working with healthcare professionals and local health departments to support impacted communities, respond to cases, and mitigate further spread,” Maryland Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani said in a statement.
Seshamani said the overall risk remains low for people who are fully vaccinated and urged Maryland residents to check their vaccination status and receive recommended vaccines.
Officials Urge Residents To Check Vaccination Status
Meg Sullivan, deputy secretary for Public Health Services, also emphasized vaccination as the primary protection against measles.
“We want them to be aware of the information that we shared today, but also to stress that the most effective way to protect yourself is to be up-to-date with the MMR vaccine and that it is widely available in Maryland,” Sullivan said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that kindergarten vaccination exemptions are at a record high nationally. In Maryland, nonmedical exemptions for the 2025-2026 school year outnumber medical exemptions.
Measles is highly contagious, and unvaccinated people face the greatest risk of infection. State officials said vaccination remains an important tool for protecting people who cannot receive vaccines as Maryland continues responding to the Maryland measles outbreak.
Educators Offer Support For Vaccination Messaging
Celeste Jordan, president of the Carroll County Education Association, said vaccination can help protect people who are unable to receive vaccines.
“I think it’s kind of up to the rest of us to make sure that we receive the vaccines that we should to help protect those who can’t receive vaccines,” Jordan said.
Jordan said the education association would work with Carroll County Public Schools on vaccination messaging if needed.
“We would probably work in partnership with Carroll County public schools for messaging to everybody, and we would help in any way we could with that messaging,” she said.
Maryland health officials continue to work with local health departments and health care professionals as they investigate cases and seek to prevent further spread of the Maryland measles outbreak.
Visit Healthcare 360 Magazine to read more.
