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Colorado identifies another measles case, with a new one in out-of-state traveler to the southern part of the state

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, October 16th 2025 at 20:58 GMT by Colorado Public Radio
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Colorado Reports First Measles Case in Huerfano County in Over a Decade

A single confirmed measles case in Huerfano County marks the first instance of the disease in Colorado since 2014, according to a report released by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The patient, a 9‑year‑old boy, presented with high fever, cough, and a characteristic rash that developed over 24 hours. While the child had received two doses of the measles‑mumps‑rubella (MMR) vaccine, the illness was still reported as a potential vaccine failure, prompting an investigation into his vaccination records and the possibility of a missed booster.

The investigation, led by the Huerfano County Health Department and the CDPHE’s outbreak investigation unit, revealed that the boy had indeed received two doses of MMR, but a third dose was recommended for travelers or anyone living in high‑density settings. The child had been living in a rural area with a low overall vaccination rate—approximately 78% of children in the county are fully vaccinated—compared to the state average of 91%. The outbreak investigation team examined possible exposure pathways, including a family trip to Texas a month before the boy’s symptoms began, a region that experienced a measles surge last year.

“The fact that the patient had a fully‑protected vaccine history is unusual, but not unheard of,” said Dr. Angela Ramirez, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the University of Colorado Health. “It underscores that no vaccine is 100% effective and that community immunity remains essential.” Dr. Ramirez also noted that the boy’s close contact with a known measles case during his school lunch break could have led to a secondary infection, despite his vaccination status.

The CDC’s guidance on measles prevention was cited heavily throughout the article. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all children receive two doses of MMR by age 18 months and 4–6 years, respectively. In high‑risk settings—such as schools, daycare centers, or areas experiencing an outbreak—health officials advise a third dose, particularly for those traveling or living in dense communities. The CDC also highlights the importance of surveillance and rapid response, including contact tracing, quarantine of exposed individuals, and public communication.

In addition to the child’s case, CDPHE’s spokesperson, Kevin Smith, highlighted the broader implications for public health. “This case is a reminder that measles can still travel across state lines and that we must keep vigilance high,” Smith said. “We are working closely with the Huerfano County Health Department to ensure all at‑risk individuals are notified, and we’re offering vaccination clinics in the area to boost community immunity.”

The Huerfano County health office announced that it would host a free vaccination clinic on Friday, November 7, at the county’s community health center. The clinic will provide the third dose of MMR for anyone over 6 months of age, with no cost to the patient. In the weeks following the report, the county’s public health department also organized an informational webinar led by Dr. Ramirez and Smith, in which they discussed the symptoms of measles, the importance of early diagnosis, and ways families can protect themselves.

The article also referenced the CDC’s recent findings that, as of September 2025, the United States recorded 2,317 confirmed measles cases, a 20% increase from the previous year. Most of these cases occurred in communities with vaccination rates below 90%. The CDC warned that measles is a “highly contagious” disease that can spread rapidly in unvaccinated populations, and stressed the need for high coverage to achieve herd immunity.

In the local context, the article quoted the Huerfano County Mayor, Lisa Patel, who emphasized community solidarity. “We’re proud of our tight‑knit community, and we’re also proud to see our people taking action. We’ll continue to support all families in getting vaccinated and in staying healthy.” The mayor also pledged that the county would work with neighboring counties to monitor potential secondary cases and that the county would collaborate with state and federal agencies to coordinate any required travel advisories.

The article concluded with a reminder of the long‑term public health benefits of routine immunizations. The CDPHE’s data show that, in Colorado, measles has not been reported in the state for more than a decade, thanks largely to high vaccination rates. However, the new case serves as a stark reminder that the disease can return if immunity gaps widen. The article urged parents, teachers, and healthcare providers to stay alert for measles symptoms—particularly fever, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, and the classic maculopapular rash—and to seek medical attention promptly.

By visiting the CDPHE’s website (https://cdph.state.co.us/), the CDC’s measles page (https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html), and the Huerfano County public health portal (https://www.huerfano.org/health), residents can find detailed vaccination schedules, local clinic times, and the latest updates on measles activity in Colorado. The article emphasized that these resources remain crucial for maintaining the state’s protection against measles and other vaccine‑preventable diseases.