'Can spread like wildfire.' Hartford County adult diagnosed with state's first case of measles this year
DPH officials say the resident recently traveled internationally and began showing symptoms of measles after returning. They say the travel is not related to the World Cup. The person’s symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, diarrhea and rash. They are currently hospitalized but stable.
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An unvaccinated Hartford County adult has been diagnosed with the state's first confirmed case of measles this year, the Connecticut Department of Public Health announced Monday.
DPH officials say the resident recently traveled internationally and began showing symptoms of measles after returning. They say the travel is not related to the World Cup.
The person’s symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, diarrhea and rash. They are currently hospitalized but stable.
Measles is highly contagious and can spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nine out of 10 unvaccinated people who encounter an infected person will become infected.
Dr. Scott Roberts at Yale New Haven Hospital doesn't seem too concerned, but he says if there are any pockets of the state where the immunization rate is below 95%, Connecticut could see a spread.
"You always worry about a school, for example, where there's a low vaccine rate," Roberts says. "It can spread like wildfire in that scenario."
Symptoms begin seven to 14 days after a person comes into contact with an infected person. Officials say people with measles first experience a fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a sore throat. Three to five days later, a red or reddish-brown rash appears.
"The good news is if there's ever a state to get measles and do well with it, it's Connecticut," Roberts says. "That's because we have such a high wall of immunity here, and we're one of the highest percentage vaccinated states in the U.S."
Medical experts are advising people to get up to date with their vaccinations.
The measles vaccine is a live vaccine, doctors say, and can't be given to pregnant women, babies under the age of twelve months, and certain people with low immune systems.
"Vaccination continues to be the best way to protect yourself and your family from measles. One dose of measles vaccine is about 93% effective, while two doses are about 97% effective. Being vaccinated helps us all protect those who matter most," DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani said.
DPH officials say so far in 2026, there have been 2,073 cases reported nationwide. They say Connecticut is one of the last states in the country and in New England to have a confirmed case this year.
In the past five years, Connecticut only had two positive cases of measles. In both cases, the people were unvaccinated and had just returned from international travel.
