Vermont confirms first measles case of 2025 in school-aged child

Waterbury, VT — The Vermont Department of Health has confirmed the state's first measles case of 2025 in a school-aged child from Lamoille County.

The child fell ill after returning from international travel with their family. Health officials believe the risk to the public is low, as the child has been isolated from most community settings while contagious.

The positive test result was confirmed on the evening of March 10. The child was evaluated at Copley Hospital in Morrisville on March 9, which has been identified as a site of potential exposure.

The hospital has contacted known visitors to its Emergency Department during that time.

The Health Department advises anyone who was at the Copley Hospital Emergency Department between 3:15 PM and 6 PM on March 9 to confirm their immunity to measles.

Those unsure of their immunity should contact the Health Department at 802-863-7240, option 2, for guidance.

Individuals should monitor for symptoms through March 30 and contact their healthcare provider if symptoms develop. They are urged not to visit medical facilities without prior notification of their symptoms and potential exposure.

The Health Department is urging Vermonters to ensure their families are vaccinated against measles, especially if planning to travel internationally.

Measles symptoms include cough, runny nose, watery eyes, high fever, and a rash.

The virus spreads through the air and can linger for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. There is no treatment for measles, but it is almost entirely preventable through vaccination.

In the first three months of 2025, the CDC reported over 200 measles cases in the U.S., linked to three domestic outbreaks.

To effectively limit the virus's spread, 95% of a population needs to be immune.