Connecticut health department confirms first case of measles in state in 2026

Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant on Jun 15, 2026

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HARTFORD, Conn. — The first case of the measles this year has been reported in Connecticut.

The case involves an unvaccinated adult in Hartford County who tested positive over the weekend, according to Brittany Schaefer, spokesperson for the state Department of Public Health.

The Connecticut resident had left the country “recently” and began showing symptoms after returning home, Schaefer said. The individual was hospitalized as of Monday and was listed in stable condition. Their symptoms included fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, diarrhea and rash.

Schaefer clarified that the individual’s travel was unrelated to the World Cup.

According to the DPH, Connecticut is one of the last states in the country to confirm a measles case in 2026. Nationwide, 2,073 measles cases have been reported so far this year, which put the country on track to exceed the 2,288 cases reported in 2025.

In the last five years, Connecticut has only had two positive measles cases. Both cases involved individuals who were unvaccinated and had just returned from international travel, Schaefer said.

“Vaccination continues to be the best way to protect yourself and your family from measles,” DPH commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said in a statement. “One dose of measles vaccine is about 93% effective, while two doses are about 97% effective. Being vaccinated helps us all protect those who matter most.”

The DPH, American Academy of Pediatrics and several other public health and medical societies recommend all people get two doses of the MMR vaccine. The first dose should be administered when someone is between 12 to 15 months old, with the second dose following between the ages of 4 and 6 years old.

According to the 2024-25 Statewide School Immunization Survey, 98.2% of Connecticut students were vaccinated with two doses of MMR by kindergarten entry, compared to 92.5% percent nationally, the DPH said. Connecticut’s MMR vaccination rate is the highest in the nation, according to the department.

Measles is considered a highly contagious disease that can spread quickly through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nine out of 10 unvaccinated individuals who encounter an infected person will become infected with the virus.

The virus can be dangerous, particularly for children younger than 5 years old. About one in five unvaccinated people in the U.S. who get measles land in the hospital.

Symptoms of measles generally begin 7-14 days after exposure. A typical case begins with mild to moderate fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and sore throat, according to the DPH.

Three to five days after the initial symptoms, a red or reddish-brown rash appears, usually starting on a person’s face at the hairline and spreading downward to the rest of their body. Once a rash appears, the virus can lead to a fever spike to more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

State Sen. Saud Anwar, D-South Windsor, senate chair of the Public Health Committee, issued a statement on Monday following a confirmed measles case in Hartford County

“As a physician, I want to be clear: measles is preventable, and this case is a reminder of what happens when we let our guard down on vaccination. I urge anyone who is unsure whether their vaccinations are current to contact their doctor or local health department today. The MMR vaccine is safe, effective, and widely available across our state,” Anwar said.

“Connecticut has maintained strong vaccination rates, and that is precisely why we have been one of the last states in New England to see a case this year. But no community is immune when measles is circulating nationally and internationally at the levels we are seeing right now,” Anwar added.

“I will continue working closely with our public health officials to monitor the situation and ensure Connecticut families have the information they need to stay safe.”

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