North Carolina Measles Alert: What You Need to Know Now
Health officials race to contain measles after a child’s weekend in Raleigh stores and worship services. Free shots offered within 72-hour window.
One Case, One Weekend, One Urgent Warning
On a quiet Saturday in early May, a family walked through the atrium of WakeMed North Hospital in Raleigh carrying a feverish child. By Monday, lab results confirmed what doctors feared: measles—North Carolina’s first case since 2019.
The Exposure Map
State health investigators have traced the patient’s movements across three counties:
- April 30 – May 2: Crowded worship service, Mecklenburg County
- May 3: Target on Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, 2–4 p.m.
- May 4: Pediatric urgent-care lobby, 9:15–11 a.m.
“If you were in those places and you’re unvaccinated, assume you’ve been exposed,” said Dr. Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson, State Health Director. “Measles is airborne and can linger two hours after the sick person leaves the room.”
Why This Case Matters
Measles is so contagious that 90 % of unvaccinated people near a carrier will catch it. North Carolina’s kindergarten MMR coverage has slipped to 93 %—below the 95 % threshold needed for herd immunity. Wake County schools reported 247 religious exemptions last fall, triple the number a decade ago.
Your Shot Clock
Vaccination within 72 hours of exposure can still prevent illness. Wake County Health is running free MMR clinics through Sunday:
- Thursday–Friday: 3–7 p.m., Sunnybrook Building, 10 Sunnybrook Rd., Raleigh
- Saturday: 9 a.m.–2 p.m., same location
Bring an ID; insurance is not required. Babies as young as 6 months can receive an early dose; adults born after 1957 should verify two lifetime doses.
Voices from the Queue
At Tuesday’s clinic, cars stretched around the block. Inside, Jasmine Herrera, 31, bounced a 10-month-old on her hip. “I’ve seen the rash pictures,” she said. “We’re not taking chances.”
What to Watch For
Symptoms appear 7–21 days after exposure:
- High fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes
- Tiny white spots inside the cheek (Koplik spots)
- Red rash starting at the hairline
If you develop signs, call ahead—do not sit in a waiting room. Hospitals will escort you through a separate entrance.
The Bigger Picture
Last year the U.S. recorded 41 measles cases; this year the CDC has already tallied 128. Global travel and stalled vaccination rates are colliding. North Carolina’s single case could be the spark that reminds residents vaccines are not relics—they’re armor.
Bottom line: Check your shot record tonight. If it’s incomplete, tomorrow may be too late.