A vial of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is on display at the Lubbock Health Department Feb. 26 in Lubbock, Texas. (AP photo — Mary Conlon)

Last week, a second unvaccinated child died after contracting measles during an outbreak in Texas. Here is what local health departments want you to know about keeping your family safe from the highly contagious, airborne virus that has made a comeback since being officially eradicated in the U.S. in 2000.

Sarah Granquist, a public health educator at Franklin County Public Health, said 90% of people who are exposed will become infected. It can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis — brain inflammation — ear infections and diarrhea. Children under the age of 5, adults over 20, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are most likely to experience complications.

Measles results in death in about three out of every 1,000 cases, according to Essex County Director of Public Health Linda Beers.

The CDC is currently reporting six outbreaks in 2025, with a total of 607 cases as of press time on Tuesday. In all of 2024, there were 285 measles cases in the U.S., according to the CDC. New York currently has four measles cases, three of which have been in New York City, according to the state Department of Health.

The state monitors vaccination rates by county, a factor that determines how likely an outbreak is. The CDC considers a vaccination rate of 95% to be needed for a community to be protected from an outbreak through herd immunity. National vaccination rates among kindergarteners have been in decline since the 2019-2020 school year. In New York, vaccination rates are around 81%, but Essex County has a rate of 77.9% and Franklin County has a rate of 77.1%.

Under the NYS Sanitary Code, health care providers, laboratories, schools and other institutions are required to report all suspected or confirmed cases of infectious diseases like measles to the local health department, Beers said.

When asked what the most important thing to do to protect against measles, Granquist wrote, “Get vaccinated.”

“Measles vaccination is important because it provides a highly effective way to prevent serious illness, protect vulnerable individuals and maintain the health of the community,” she said.

The measles vaccine (MMR vaccine), which also protects against mumps and rubella, offers about 97% protection. The vaccine is typically offered in two doses. The first should ideally be given between 12 to 15 months and the second dose at 4 to 6 years old. Adults who were not vaccinated as children can also get the vaccine, Granquist said.

To learn more about the recommended schedules for vaccinations, visit tinyurl.com/54yxfvmh.

“Vaccination is a safe, proven way to keep your child healthy and contribute to the health and well-being of the community as a whole,” Granquist said. “If you have concerns or questions about the vaccine, reach out to a trusted healthcare provider who can provide accurate, evidence-based information to help you make the best decision for your child’s health.”

For those looking for more information about the safety of the MMR vaccine, she recommended visiting tinyurl.com/2264cycw and tinyurl.com/bdc9tj96. The FDA and Immunize.org also have information about vaccine safety. To get a vaccine, you can contact your health provider to see if they offer one, or you can schedule an appointment at pharmacies or health departments.

“Vaccination is important because there is no specific treatment available that can cure measles once someone is infected,” Beers said. “Medical care is supportive and centers on relieving symptoms and preventing complications from secondary infections.”

The Trump administration recently cut more than $300 million in funding for New York’s public health departments. According to a March 28 press release from Governor Hochul, these cuts would directly impact virus surveillance efforts. It is unclear exactly how local departments will be affected, and Beers said they are unable to speak to the local impacts of the funding cut at this time. Granquist confirmed that Franklin County Public Health has made some changes to continue infectious disease surveillance in an interrupted manner and said they are “monitoring the situation very carefully.”