Measles Cases and Outbreaks in North Carolina
North Carolina Measles Metrics
Updated twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays by NCDHHS at approximately noon.
Last updated: Feb. 17
Data current as of: 5 p.m. Feb. 16
Number of Cases Since December 2025
Newly Reported Cases
Cases reported since last update
Total Cases Hospitalized Since December 2025
Cases Since December 2025
Cases by County
Areas with Community Spread
These are areas where person-to-person spread of measles in the community is known or suspected to have occurred. While some of these counties have no reported cases, measles may still be spreading nearby.
- Buncombe County
- The Charlotte Metropolitan area, including these counties: Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Union
For Residents and Visitors
Measles cases are rising in NC. Cases have mostly affected people who are not vaccinated.
- Everyone 1 year and older should get the MMR vaccine.
- Parents and health care providers should talk about early MMR vaccination for infants 6-11 months old who live in or travel to areas with community spread.
Talk with your health care provider about vaccination if you live in or plan to visit:
- An area with community spread in NC
- Areas of U.S. measles outbreaks
Cases by Vaccination Status
| Vaccination Status* | Percent of Cases |
|---|---|
| Unvaccinated/unknown | 68% |
| One dose of the MMR vaccine | 27% |
| Two doses of the MMR vaccine | 5% |
*Depending on someone’s age and risk level, one dose may be considered up to date
Cases by Age Group
| Age Group | Number of Cases |
|---|---|
| 17 and younger | 17 |
| 18 and older | 5 |
| Total | 22 |
| Week Ending | Number of Cases |
|---|---|
| Feb. 14, 2026 | 2 |
| Feb. 7, 2026 | 3 |
| Jan. 31, 2026 | 2 |
| Jan. 24, 2026 | 2 |
| Jan. 17, 2026 | 4 |
| Jan. 10, 2026 | 5 |
| Jan. 3, 2026 | 3 |
| Dec. 27, 2025 | 0 |
| Dec. 20, 2025 | 1 |
| Dec. 13, 2025 | 0 |
| Dec. 6, 2025 | 0 |
- A case refers to measles infection reported in an NC resident. These metrics do not include cases reported in travelers.
- Cases are confirmed by having positive laboratory testing or measles-like symptoms and known contact with a confirmed case. More information on case definition (PDF).
- The date used for this dashboard is the date symptoms began. If that date is not available, specimen collection date is used, if available, or date of initial report to public health. The earliest date a case was identified may change as we learn more information. Dates may differ from CDC's Measles and Outbreaks page.
- County is defined as county of residence.
Vaccines work. Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself, your family and your community from severe illness. They help prevent hospital stays and can save lives.
Wastewater Monitoring for Measles
In June 2025, North Carolina began measles virus (MEV) testing at 28 sites across the state. In July 2025, Verily, a CDC contractor, started testing at six more sites. NC now tests twice a week at 34 sites across the state.
The results are shared with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS).
Previous Measles Cases in NC
From 2005 through 2024, North Carolina had 35 measles cases. This includes an outbreak in 2013 with 23 cases.
Most of these cases did not lead to others getting sick thanks to high vaccination rates across the state. Most cases occurred after international travel by people who were not vaccinated.
NC had no reported measles cases from 2019 through 2023. There was one case in the fall of 2024. Then, in the summer of 2025, measles was reported in an international traveler visiting NC.
More Data
- NC Measles Vaccination Dashboard - estimated MMR coverage among elementary school students
- NC Kindergarten Immunization Dashboard
- NC Communicable Disease Dashboard
- Measles Cases and Outbreaks (CDC)