Although measles was declared eliminated in the United States only 25 years ago, dropping vaccination rates nationally have led to its reemergence, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

A significant rise in cases was tracked as rising significantly in 2024 and 2025 and is attributed to a combination of kindergartner vaccination rates being below the 95% coverage target and international travel. 

Rebecca Betz, epidemiology program manager at Panhandle Health District, noted that about 20% of children in Idaho are potentially not up to date on their measles vaccine according to a CDC survey of kindergartners during the 2023-24 school year. 

“There are currently no reported cases in the northern counties of Idaho, but they did just identify one case of a traveler passing through,” Betz said.   

Measles is an extremely contagious respiratory disease which is airborne for up to two hours after a person with the measles passes through an area, according to Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. 

Symptoms usually present between one and two weeks after a person has been exposed to the airborne ailment.  

There have been more than 1,200 confirmed measles cases in the U.S. this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Of those, 12% have required hospitalization.

With the frequency of ongoing domestic measles outbreaks including nearby Montana, Betz recommended talking to a health care provider about the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. 

For those with exemptions from receiving the measles vaccine, she reminded residents that there are always nonpharmaceutical options to prevent spreading measles and other contagious diseases. 

“If you’re traveling somewhere, increase washing your hands, covering coughs and sneezes and disinfecting surfaces to prevent illness,” Betz said. 

Measles begins with general cold symptoms of coughing, sneezing, red watery eyes and spots in the mouth, but eventually a distinctive rash may form. 

The illness can lead to serious complications, especially in young children and people with weakened immune systems, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare states.  

“As we watch the domestic cases of measles rise, we just want people to be aware,” Betz said, recommending staying home when you’re sick, washing your hands frequently and talking to your health care provider if you’re planning travel to a place where measles outbreaks may be occurring. 

More information is available from the CDC at www.cdc.gov/measles and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare at www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov.

    Before 2024, there were almost no confirmed cases of measles in the United States according to the CDC. In 2025, more confirmed cases appeared on a national scale.