Measles outbreak declared in 3 Maryland counties as back-to-school season begins
Measles Vaccine
BETHESDA, Md. - Maryland health officials declared a measles outbreak in St. Mary’s, Carroll and Cecil counties after 14 new cases were identified in unvaccinated residents.
What we know:
The announcement comes as students across the state prepare to return to classrooms. However, state health leaders emphasized that the overall public risk remains low for those who are up to date on their vaccinations.
"There is currently no evidence of widespread community transmission in Maryland or those counties, and most cases that we’ve seen have occurred among household contacts," said Dr. Meg Sullivan, Deputy Secretary of Public Health Services for the Maryland Department of Health. "Again, for those individuals who are up to date with their MMR vaccine, the risk remains low."
No public exposure locations have been identified in connection with the recent cases.
The 14 new cases bring Maryland’s total to 31 confirmed measles cases this year.
Twenty-seven of those cases have been identified since July 15, and all occurred among unvaccinated residents. In St. Mary’s County, 13 cases were identified, eight were identified in Carroll County, five were identified in Cecil County and one was identified in Charles County, according to health officials.
Big picture view:
The local spike in cases mirrors a significant surge in measles cases nationwide. According to data tracked by Towson University Assistant Professor Farzin Ahmadi, the U.S. recorded more than 2,800 confirmed measles cases through Aug. 21, already eclipsing the national total for all of 2025.
"It has been almost all over the place. So, from Florida all of the way to Oregon and the state of Washington and now Maryland and Pennsylvania, we are seeing measles activity everywhere," Ahmadi said.
He emphasized that both state and federal recommendations urge residents to get vaccinated to curb the rising numbers.
Measles is highly contagious and carries an infection rate of 90% among unprotected individuals who are exposed.
The Source: Information in this report is from the Maryland Department of Health.