Maryland health officials on Monday expanded outbreak declarations after health departments confirmed 14 new measles cases, raising the statewide total to 31 infections so far this year.
What changed for residents
The newly reported infections occurred in St. Mary’s, Carroll and Cecil counties. State officials said there were no known public exposures linked to the recent cases and that the infections were clustered among a small number of households. All people diagnosed in this wave were unvaccinated, the Maryland Department of Health said.
- Total cases this year: 31
- New cases reported Monday: 14
- Counties with new cases: St. Mary’s, Carroll, Cecil
- Cases last year: 3
Measles is highly transmissible and can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. Health officials warned that roughly nine in 10 unvaccinated people exposed to the virus will become infected.
"The overall risk remains low if you are fully vaccinated," Maryland Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani said in a statement. "We ask that Marylanders join us in our effort to help keep our youngest safe and protect those who are most at risk. Checking your vaccination status and getting vaccinated if you are not up-to-date is the simplest and most effective way to do that."
Symptoms and precautions
Symptoms typically include a fever, cough, runny nose and a red rash. Because measles can produce serious complications and long-term impacts to the immune system, the state is urging anyone uncertain of their immunization record to consult a health care provider or local health department about receiving the MMR vaccine.
| Metric | Number |
|---|---|
| Cases in 2026 | 31 |
| New cases reported Aug. 24 | 14 |
| Cases in 2025 | 3 |
| Cases in prior decade | 10 |
State health officials pointed to declining confidence in vaccines and misinformation as contributors to recent outbreaks nationwide, though they stressed Maryland’s overall risk remains lower for people who are up to date on vaccinations. Officials also noted other states are reporting higher totals.
The department did not release demographic details such as ages of those infected. Residents seeking vaccination information or wanting to verify their records should contact their county health department or primary care provider for guidance.
Reporting for News Block.
