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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — A Massachusetts resident who traveled abroad was diagnosed with measles earlier this month, state health officials announced Thursday.
This is the first confirmed case of measles in the Commonwealth since early 2020.
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The Massachusetts Department of Health said the resident is an adult from Worcester County who recently traveled internationally, although officials did not say where this person went.
People who may have been exposed to this case have already been contacted, DPH said.
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased worldwide, including here in the United States and in neighboring states in New England," said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. "Cases of measles have been reported in 30 states since the beginning of last year, mostly in people and communities who are unvaccinated. Vaccination is the best way to protect against measles."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said as of July 11, a total of 167 measles cases have been reported in 24 jurisdictions across the United States this year. The majority of cases were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status. 53 percent of reported cases were hospitalized.
Symptoms include a cough, runny nose, high fever, red, watery eyes, and a rash all over the body.
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