April 19, 2025 Louisiana Department of Health confirms Greater New Orleans area measles casePatient's exposure linked to international travel

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Apr 19, 2025 - The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has confirmed one case of measles in an adult resident of Region 1 (comprised of Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard parishes). At this time, the patient’s exposure to measles appears to be linked to international travel.

The individual who tested positive is in isolation and has received treatment at a Region 1 hospital. The patient was not hospitalized and will remain in isolation until no longer infectious. This patient was not vaccinated. To protect patient confidentiality, no further information about the patient will be released.

The LDH Office of Public Health is working to identify and notify those who have come into contact with the infected individual.

This is the first measles case reported in Louisiana in 2025. In 2024, three confirmed travel-associated measles cases were reported in Louisiana, all in the greater New Orleans area.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread rapidly among individuals who have not received the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. Measles cases can result in hospitalization and, in extreme cases, can lead to death. The measles virus can be particularly dangerous for babies and young children.

The best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized against measles. Two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine are highly effective at preventing measles. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether the MMR vaccine is right for you.

The Department's epidemiology investigation is ongoing. LDH will conduct media interviews when more information is available.

What are the symptoms of measles?

• Symptoms generally appear about seven to 14 days after a person is infected. 
• Initial measles symptoms include a high fever that may spike as high as 104°, a cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. 
• Two to three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth.
• Three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash will break out. It usually appears as flat red spots on the face at the hairline and spreads downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet. 
• After a few days, the fever subsides and the rash fades. 

I think I have been EXPOSED to measles. What should I do?

• Immediately call your healthcare provider and let them know that you have been exposed to someone who has measles. Your healthcare provider can determine if you are protected against measles based on your vaccination record, age, or laboratory evidence. Also, please contact your regional epidemiologist with the Louisiana Department of Health, who can provide additional guidance. 
• Monitor yourself for symptoms. Be on the lookout for fever and/or an unexplained rash from 7-21 days after exposure potentially occurred, as this is the time when symptoms may develop.
• If you see a provider in person, please notify your provider that you have been exposed to measles before you arrive so that they can make special arrangements to evaluate you, if needed, without putting other patients and medical office staff at risk.
• If you are not immune to measles, the MMR vaccine or a medicine called immune globulin may help reduce your risk of developing measles. Your healthcare provider can advise and monitor you for signs and symptoms of measles.

I think I HAVE measles. What should I do?

• If symptoms develop, stay at home. Avoid school, work, and any large gatherings. 
• Immediately call your healthcare provider and let them know about your symptoms so they can tell you what to do next. Your healthcare provider can make special arrangements to evaluate you, if needed, without putting other patients and medical office staff at risk. 
• The Louisiana Department of Health can assist healthcare providers in appropriately diagnosing and managing your care.

Additional information for providers and the general public can be found at LDH | Measles. If you are unsure whether you have been vaccinated, ask your healthcare provider to find out if you need an MMR. You can also check your family’s vaccine status at MyIR.