The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has confirmed the state’s second case of measles in an unvaccinated infant under 1 year old in Denver County. The infant recently traveled to an area in Mexico experiencing a measles outbreak. This case is not linked to Colorado’s other measles case in Pueblo. Babies typically receive the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine at 12 to 15 months, making infants under 12 months vulnerable to measles. The CDPHE is urging families traveling internationally to delay unnecessary travel or consider early MMR vaccination for infants, especially in areas with measles outbreaks.
People who visited the Denver Health Emergency Department on April 6 between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. may have been exposed to measles. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a characteristic rash. Those who visited the ED should monitor for symptoms for 21 days and consider avoiding public gatherings or high-risk settings.
Measles is highly contagious and preventable with the MMR vaccine, with two doses being 97% effective. Prior to these cases, Colorado had not seen a case of measles since December 2023. CDPHE is emphasizing the importance of vaccination and monitoring for symptoms to prevent the spread of measles in the community.
