Third case of measles confirmed in Connecticut, DPH says

Hartford Courant – Tuesday, August 25, 2026
By Kaitlin McCallum

A third case of measles has been confirmed in Connecticut by the Department of Public Health. The patient, an adult living in Hartford County, was tested Monday, DPH said.

“This individual was admitted to the hospital with symptoms including high fever and later developed a rash. Their vaccination status is unknown. This is the third case of measles reported in Connecticut in 2026,” DPH said in a statement.

The case comes amid a spike in measles infections in the United States, with 2,777 cases this year, the highest total since 1991. The Centers or Disease Control and Prevention says measles is a highly contagious disease best prevented by two does of the vaccine. It notes 94% of this year’s cases are outbreak-associated and 93% of patients were unvaccinated or of unknown vaccination status.

“This case is a reminder that measles remains a real risk for unvaccinated travelers, particularly to parts of the world where measles is still circulating widely,” said Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD.

“Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97 percent effective at preventing infection. If you are planning international travel, especially with infants or unvaccinated family members, please check your MMR vaccination status and talk to your healthcare provider well before you leave.”

Connecticut has the highest school-age vaccination rate in the country after lawmakers in 2022 repealed the religious exemption, meaning all children are required to receive state-mandated vaccinations or be refused entry to school. Health officials say that those who are immune compromised or unable to get the vaccine are protected by others’ vaccination by herd immunity.

“Measles is a highly contagious disease that can spread quickly through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. According to the CDC, 9 out of 10 unvaccinated individuals who encounter an infected person will become infected with the measles virus,” the Connecticut DPH said.

“Measles can be dangerous, especially for children under the age of five. About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the U.S. who get measles end up being hospitalized. Symptoms of measles generally begin 7-14 days after exposure to an infected person. A typical case of measles begins with mild to moderate fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and sore throat. Three to five days after the start of these symptoms, a red or reddish- brown rash appears, usually starting on a person’s face at the hairline and spreading downward to the entire body. At the time the rash appears, a person’s fever may spike to more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit.”

The first case was of an unvaccinated adult who had traveled abroad and began to show symptoms of measles after returning. That person was in contact with a vaccinated adult who then contracted the second case. Since that person had received two doses of the MRR vaccine, their case was milder and less likely to spread, DPH said at the time. The person recovered at home with symptoms of fever, cough and rash.

Any residents who believe they were exposed to measles should monitor for symptoms for 21 days afterward; call their doctor before being seen in person if symptoms develop to limit exposing others and get vaccinated if they are not up to date, DPH said.

Information and vaccination resources are available at ct.gov/dph or by calling 211.

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