ASHEBORO, N.C. (ACME NEWS) — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed the state’s first measles case of the year in a child who visited Forsyth and Guilford counties this month.
The child became ill while traveling to North Carolina from a country with active measles outbreaks, officials said in a statement Monday.
Because the child traveled by air, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is responsible for flight-related contact tracing and notifications. The state is not releasing additional information about the flight or the country of origin and to protect the child’s privacy, no further details are being released.
“We’ve shared that information with CDC, and that process is ongoing,” said Dr. Zack Moore, state epidemiologist during a press briefing Monday afternoon.
Health officials said they are also coordinating with the Forsyth and Guilford County health departments to identify potential exposure sites. Anyone who visited the locations listed below during the specified times should review their immunization status and contact a health care provider if necessary. State health officials say those who are fully vaccinated are not at risk.
Potential exposure sites:
Thursday, June 19 – Friday, June 20
- 11:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.: Piedmont Triad International Airport, Greensboro
- 11:30 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.: Sleep Inn, 1406 Heartland Drive, Kernersville
Friday, June 20 – Saturday, June 21
- 5:15 p.m. – 11:35 a.m.: Sleep Inn, 1406 Heartland Drive, Kernersville
- Morning: McDonald’s, 14000 Heartland Drive, Kernersville
- 1:30 – 6:15 p.m.: Greensboro Science Center, 4301 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro
- 4:40 – 5 p.m.: Ice cream shop, Piedmont Triad Farmers Market, Greensboro
Saturday, June 21 – Sunday, June 22
- 10 – 12:05 p.m.: Greensboro Aquatic Center foyer, 1921 W. Gate City Blvd., Greensboro
- 10:15 a.m. – 1:20 p.m.: Greensboro ParTee Shack, 3712 S. Holden Road, Greensboro
- 4:50 – 7:10 p.m.: Lowes Foods, 240 Market View Drive, Kernersville
- 5:30 p.m. – 12:20 p.m. (Sunday): Sleep Inn, 1406 Heartland Drive, Kernersville
The case marks North Carolina’s first since 2024 — and only the second reported in the state since 2018. Measles remains uncommon in North Carolina, with most cases linked to international travel and unvaccinated individuals.
“Getting vaccinated against measles continues to be the most important step we can take to protect ourselves and our loved ones,” said Dr. Dev Sangvai, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. “It’s critical that all North Carolinians stay up to date on their vaccinations.”
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can linger in indoor spaces for up to two hours.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, measles is contagious from four days before until four days after the onset of the rash. Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure, but can take as long as 21 days to develop. About 90% of unvaccinated people exposed to the virus will become infected, and approximately one in five cases results in hospitalization.
Early symptoms include high fever — often over 104 degrees — cough, runny nose, and red or watery eyes. These may be followed by tiny white spots inside the mouth and a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the face downward.
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is proven to be safe and effective. Health officials urge anyone age 1 or older who has not been vaccinated to receive the MMR vaccine.
Health officials said individuals who may have been exposed only need to contact their local health department, if they are experience symptoms, or are in a group with higher risk for complications — including children under 21 months old, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals and those who are unvaccinated — need to contact their local health department.
Eligible children can receive free vaccines through the federal Vaccines for Children program. For more information, visit https://www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/measles.
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