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Once eliminated in the United States, the highly contagious viral disease, Measles, is crawling back into the country. Confirmed by the Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS), an active case of measles has been found in Dallas County in a woman, currently in her mid-20s.
According to the DCHHS, the woman was fully vaccinated and had been infected from May 30, 2025, until June 7, 2025. As an active measure to contain the outbreak, the authorities have listed the potential exposure sites, including Lemma Coffee Plano, Texas and First Baptist Church of Plano, Texas, urging people to monitor symptoms and seek medical attention if needed.
As of now, the infection is being marked as an isolated case and the source of the outbreak is still unknown, according to the DCHHS. However, this case is raising new questions about vaccine breakthroughs and also the sporadic outbreaks of measles globally.
How Can Measles Breakthrough After Full Vaccination?
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Breakthrough infections, though rare in nature, can be seen in fully vaccinated people. As no vaccination can offer 100% gains in immunity, the Measles vaccine is no exception. Sometimes, vaccine efficacy can decline over time, depending on the person’s health status and other factors.
“Even in highly vaccinated populations, isolated cases can emerge due to international travel or community exposure,” says Dr Shubham Agarwal, MD, Medicine, DM Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Apollo Hospital Lucknow.
ALSO READ: https://www.onlymyhealth.com/key-characteristics-of-measles-rash-12977830478
Measles Symptoms: What to Look Out For
In a highly communicable disease like Measles, it is important to be aware of symptoms as soon as they show up. According to Dr Shubham, here are some symptoms to look for:
- High fever
- Dry cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- Koplik spots (tiny white spots inside the mouth)
- A red rash that spreads across the body
“Fully Vaccinated Adults Get Milder Symptoms”, says Dr Agarwal
As per Dr Agarwal, “Measles infection after vaccination is rare but possible. Such breakthrough investigations are milder and often seen in individuals with weak immunity or those getting immunosuppressive medications.”
Symptoms of Fully Vaccinated Adults:
- Low Grade Fever- between 99.5°F (37.5°C) and 100.4°F (38°C)
- Mild Rash: Red coloured-faint rash
- Cold abd Cough: Mild cold and cough with generalised weakness
“However, these symptoms do not always warrant testing for measles, unless there is high grade fever, breathing discomfort or chest infection (pneumonia)”, advised Dr Agarwal.
Are Breakthrough Measles Cases on the Rise?
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As far as communicable infections are concerned, the efficacy can never be 100%. However, it is advisable by the CDC (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) that in case of measles exposure, seek MMR vaccine within 72 hours of initial exposure.
According to Dr Agarwal, “Measles cases in adults are mostly seen in unvaccinated adults. True breakthrough infections (after 2 doses of MMR vaccine) still remain rare (2-3% of all cases) as the vaccines are highly effective.”
How Does Measles Affect the Lungs?
Any infection that is localised in the lungs is bound to affect the lungs in the long run. “As for measles infection in children or adults with compromised immunity or on immunosuppressive medications can lead to complications of pneumonia in the lungs,” said Dr Agarwal.
As per Dr Agarwal, Measles can worsen the Lungs
- Viruses can infect the lungs directly or can lead to pneumonia with other bacteria also.
- Measles pneumonia in children can also lead to risk of lung disease later in life with obstruction in airways of lungs.
What’s Next?
So far, no additional cases have been confirmed in Dallas County, but DCHHS is monitoring the situation closely. In the meantime, health officials are urging residents to:
- Check their vaccination records
- Be aware of any measles symptoms
- Avoid visiting listed exposure sites if symptomatic
- Encourage community-wide immunization, especially for children
Final Thoughts: Measles isn’t Gone
Measles may seem like a disease of the past, but it’s proving that it hasn’t disappeared—just gone quiet. This latest Dallas case is a reminder that vaccination is crucial but not foolproof, and public awareness remains key. With global travel, urban density, and vaccine misinformation still in play, even isolated cases deserve serious attention.
Disclaimer: If experiencing any of these symptoms, connect to your healthcare provider at the earliest.