Rhode Island recently recorded its first measles case since 2013, the Rhode Island Department of Health announced Sunday.
The patient — a young, unvaccinated child that had recently traveled abroad — is now at home and well after being treated at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.
According to the press release, the case poses low risk to the public. Those exposed are being monitored and advised, public health officials said, adding that the child did not come into contact with anyone at their school or daycare.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that induces symptoms including fever, cough, runny noses and rashes. The disease is “almost entirely preventable” by vaccination, said Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health Jerry Larkin in the press release.
According to the World Health Organization, unvaccinated youth and pregnant people face the highest risk of severe complications from measles.
RIDOH noted that the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is safe and effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consider one dose of the MMR vaccine 93% effective against measles and two doses 97% effective.
“For any family with insurance issues or trouble accessing care, RIDOH can make vaccine available at no cost,” Larkin continued.
97% of the state’s kindergarteners have taken the MMR vaccine. According to the CDC, this is the sixth highest rate in the nation.
While measles has been declared eliminated in the United States, the disease continues to be spread by unvaccinated international travelers. In 2024, 32 U.S. jurisdictions reported a total of 284 cases — the most since 2019.
Megan is a metro editor covering health and environment. Born and raised in Hong Kong, she spends her free time drinking coffee and wishing she was Meg Ryan in a Nora Ephron movie.
