Maine sees its 1st measles case in four years

illustration of two measles virus particles depicted in reds and pinks against a black background

A child in Maine who recently tested positive for measles may be the state's first case of the viral infection since 2019, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reported Friday (May 5).

While the case still needs to be confirmed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "out of an abundance of caution," Maine's public health agencies are assuming the child is infectious and working to identify and contact people who may have been exposed.