Measles Case Confirmed in Unvaccinated Pueblo Resident After Trip to Mexico
Health officials have confirmed a case of measles in Colorado, identifying an unvaccinated adult resident of Pueblo who recently returned from Mexico—a country currently experiencing an active measles outbreak. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) shared the news Monday evening and released a list of locations the individual visited to help the public determine possible exposure.
Those who were at any of the identified locations during the specified times are advised to monitor for symptoms of measles—such as fever, cough, runny nose, and rash—for 21 days. Anyone who suspects they may have been exposed is urged to contact their healthcare provider or an urgent care facility by phone before visiting, to help prevent further spread.
“This individual has not traveled outside of Pueblo, so we believe the exposure is contained locally,” said Randy Evetts, public health director for Pueblo County. Measles is one of the most contagious viruses, but two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing infection. Colorado’s current MMR vaccination rate among children is 93.7%, below the 95% threshold considered necessary for strong community immunity. State epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy urged Coloradans to review their vaccination status, noting that the MMR vaccine is “excellent protection” against outbreaks like those seen globally.
