DPH confirms first case of measles in Connecticut this year

The Connecticut Department of Public Health has confirmed the state’s first case of measles this year in an unvaccinated adult from Hartford County following testing conducted over the weekend.

The individual began showing symptoms of measles shortly after returning from international travel. Their symptoms included fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, diarrhea and rash, according to DPH.

The adult is hospitalized and in stable condition, according to DPH.

DPH noted that the individual’s travel was not related to the World Cup.

Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that quickly spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. DPH said that nine out of 10 unvaccinated individuals will become infected if they encounter someone with the virus.

One in five unvaccinated individuals who contract the virus are hospitalized, according to DPH.

Connecticut has had two confirmed measles cases in the last five years, and both were found in unvaccinated individuals who had just returned from international travel, according to DPH.

DPH said that there are currently 2,073 confirmed measles cases nationwide so far in 2026. There were a total of 2,288 cases in all of 2025, and DPH said the country is on track to exceed that number.

Measles symptoms begin approximately seven to 14 days after exposure to the virus. According to DPH, initial symptoms include mild to moderate fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and sore throat. Usually, a rash appears starting at a person’s hairline three to five days after initial symptoms start and spreads downward, according to DPH.

DPH and other public health and medical institutions recommend everyone received two doses of the MMR vaccine.

“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,” said DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani.

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