Maine Child Who Tested Positive for Measles Was Not Infectious

U.S. CDC identifies non-contagious strain of the virus, no secondary infections reported

AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) was informed today by the U.S. CDC that a child who tested positive for measles earlier this month did not have an infectious strain of the virus. No additional cases of potential measles infections have been identified.

Out of an abundance of caution and to protect public health, Maine CDC sent the initial test result to the U.S. CDC on May 5, 2023 for confirmatory testing and alerted the public to places where people could have been exposed.

The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best prevention for measles. Anyone who is not immunized or does not know their measles immunization status should get vaccinated.

Recommendations:

  • Children. All children should be up to date with the MMR vaccination. The first dose should be received between 12 and 15 months of age, and the second dose should be received between 4 and 6 years of age. Check with your health care provider if you are unsure about whether your child is up to date with their vaccinations.
  • Adults. All adults should have proof of immunity to measles. Acceptable proof includes one of the following:
    • written documentation of vaccination
    • laboratory evidence of immunity
    • birth before 1957
    • laboratory confirmation of disease

For adults with no evidence of immunity to measles, contact a health care provider to find out how to prevent measles.

Some people exposed to the virus may still get measles even if they received the MMR vaccine, but they are more likely to have a milder illness and are less likely to spread the disease to other people. It is not possible to contract measles from the vaccine. After vaccination, some individuals may test positive due to their immune response to the vaccine, but they are not contagious.

The most recent confirmed case of measles in Maine was in 2019.

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