The Guilford County Division of Public Health is urging residents to check their vaccination status as measles cases increase across the United States. Measles, which had been eliminated in the country in 2000, has returned due to a drop in vaccination rates. Health officials emphasize that vaccines are safe and effective, providing the best protection against serious illness from respiratory viruses and vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) recommends that all individuals aged one year and older receive two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. This regimen offers about 97 percent protection against measles. High community vaccination rates help prevent outbreaks through “herd immunity,” which also protects people who cannot be vaccinated, including newborns, cancer patients, and those with weakened immune systems.
“Measles can spread very quickly among children and adults who are not protected by vaccination,” said Courtney McFadden, Guilford County Public Health Director. “All residents should take the time to ensure that they and their families are fully vaccinated with the MMR vaccine.”
Measles is a respiratory virus transmitted through airborne droplets from coughing or sneezing or by contact with secretions from an infected person’s nose or mouth. The virus can remain active in the air for up to two hours after an infected individual leaves an area. Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure but may take up to 21 days. They include high fever (which may exceed 104 degrees), cough, runny nose, red watery eyes (conjunctivitis), tiny white spots inside the mouth known as Koplik Spots appearing two to three days after symptoms begin, and a red blotchy rash starting on the face before spreading.
Parents are encouraged to ensure their children have received all recommended immunizations, including MMR. According to health officials, around 90 percent of unvaccinated people exposed to measles will become infected. Residents experiencing symptoms or suspecting exposure should stay home, avoid others, and contact their healthcare provider before seeking care so precautions can be taken.
North Carolina law allows local health departments to require isolation or quarantine when necessary to control infectious diseases like measles—measures used primarily in settings such as schools or shared living facilities.
MMR vaccines are available at local healthcare providers as well as at Guilford County Division of Public Health clinics in Greensboro (1100 East Wendover Avenue) and High Point (501 East Green Drive), Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., by appointment at 336-641-3245. Patients should bring insurance information and immunization records; minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Vaccination status can be checked via local healthcare providers or through the North Carolina Immunization Registry at 877-873-6247. Children eligible for Vaccines for Children can get immunized at participating providers. The NCDHHS offers an online tool for checking immunity status and maintains a Measles Cases and Outbreaks Dashboard updated twice weekly with new case data.
To improve outreach efforts during this period of increased risk, NCDHHS has introduced text notifications alerting individuals who may have been near confirmed cases about potential exposures along with instructions on next steps; these notifications do not confirm infection but advise recipients on appropriate actions.
In other aspects related to public health preparedness in Guilford County schools: In the 2022-23 school year,
22.3% of senior students taking the science portion of the ACT were considered college-ready according to state education data (source). For juniors taking science ACTs during that period,
21.4% met college readiness standards (source). In reading,
30.8% of seniors were deemed ready for college work (source), while
28.2% of juniors achieved similar results (source). Math readiness was lower:
23.7% among seniors (source) and
21.1% among juniors (source).
For more information about measles prevention measures or vaccinations locally, residents are encouraged to contact county health resources.
