The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has confirmed one case of measles in a pediatric resident of Region 1 (comprised of Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard parishes). The patient was exposed to measles during international travel.
The individual who tested positive is in isolation and is receiving treatment at a Region 1 hospital. This patient was partially vaccinated. To protect patient confidentiality, no further information about the patient will be released.
This is the first measles case reported in Louisiana in 2026. In 2025, three measles cases were reported in Louisiana.
Measles is highly contagious and can spread rapidly among individuals who have not received the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. Approximately 90% of unvaccinated individuals who are exposed to measles will become infected. Measles can result in hospitalization and, in extreme cases, death. The measles virus can be especially dangerous for babies and young children, pregnant women, and people who have compromised immune systems.
The best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized against measles. Adults need at least one dose of MMR vaccine given after the age of 1. Individuals born before 1957 or who had measles as a child are considered immune. Talk to your health care provider about whether the MMR vaccine is right for you.
What are the symptoms of measles?
-Symptoms generally appear about 7-14 days after a person is infected.
-Initial measles symptoms include a high fever that may spike as high as 104°, a cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes.
-Two to three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth.
-Three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash will break out. It usually appears as flat red spots on the face at the hairline and spreads downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet.
-After a few days, the fever subsides and the rash fades.