City and County of Denver, CO

04/07/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/07/2025 17:04

DDPHE Confirms First Case of Measles in Denver

DDPHE Confirms First Case of Measles in Denver

Published on April 07, 2025

The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) and the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment have confirmed a case of measles in an infant in Denver who was too young to be vaccinated as part of a routine vaccine schedule. The individual recently traveled to an area of Mexico experiencing an ongoing measles outbreak. The current evidence shows that the case is likely not linked to the case in Pueblo.

State and local health authorities confirmed the case on April 7, 2025. People who visited the Denver Health Emergency Department (777 Bannock St. Pavilion A, Denver, CO 80204) on April 6 between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. may have been exposed and should monitor themselves for symptoms.

Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The measles virus can remain in the air for up to two hours.

Measles cases can often be severe but are preventable. The MMR vaccine is safe and highly effective, providing long-lasting protection. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective in preventing measles. For people who haven't had the MMR vaccine, measles can cause serious infection.

Known exposure locations:

Based on available information, anyone who was in the following location during the date listed may have been exposed to measles and should monitor for symptoms for 21 days after exposure and consider avoiding public gatherings or high-risk settings if they have not been vaccinated with the MMR vaccine. MMR vaccine, given within 72 hours after exposure, can prevent infection.

Location

Date/time

Denver Health Emergency Department

777 Bannock St. Pavilion A,

Denver, CO 80204

Sunday, April 6

10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. MT

Unvaccinated individuals who may have been exposed should talk to their health care provider or local public health agency about promptly receiving the MMR vaccine.

What to do if you may have been exposed and aren't feeling well:

People exposed to measles typically develop symptoms 7 to 21 days after exposure. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a characteristic rash that usually starts several days later on the face and spreads.

If you were at one of these locations during the exposure window and develop symptoms, immediately contact your health care provider by phone. If you do not have a provider, call an urgent care center or emergency department and explain that you may have been exposed to measles. Calling ahead helps prevent additional exposures.

Measles Vaccination:

Vaccination is important to prevent individuals from getting sick and also to protect people who cannot get vaccinated, like infants and those who are immunocompromised.

  • CDC recommends that children get one dose of the MMR vaccine at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age.
  • If you're traveling internationally, adults should be fully vaccinated before traveling. Infants 6-11 months old should get 1 dose of the MMR vaccine before travel. Then they should get 2 more doses after their first birthday.
  • Older children, adolescents, & adults also need 1 or 2 doses of MMR vaccine if they don't have evidence of immunity. Doses should be separated at least 28 days apart.

What Denverites Should Do to Protect Themselves

  • Know your vaccination status.
    • If you do not know whether you are vaccinated against measles, check Colorado's immunization database at copublicportal.state.co.us or with your healthcare provider.
    • You could also check with family members to see if they have your childhood records.
    • Some schools, colleges, universities or employers might keep records for former students or employers. If you're unable to find a record of your immunizations elsewhere, consider checking one of these locations.
  • Get vaccinated if you are not vaccinated already
    • Check with your healthcare provider to receive the vaccine.
    • People born before 1957 are generally considered to be immune and do not need a vaccine.
  • If you are not vaccinated and are not planning to receive the vaccine, monitor yourself closely for symptoms. If symptoms develop, immediately contact your health care provider by phone. If you do not have a provider, call an urgent care center or emergency department and explain that you may have been exposed to measles. Calling ahead helps prevent additional exposures. If you have additional questions for our DDPHE public health nursing team, contact them by email. They can help answer question about measles, vaccines and more.