A measles case has been confirmed in a school-aged child living in Montezuma County, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the Montezuma County Public Health Agency. The child, who had not received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, began showing symptoms after traveling to another state experiencing an active measles outbreak.
Health officials are alerting residents of Cortez and Mancos about potential community exposures that may have occurred between November 5 and November 11. They recommend that people in these areas monitor themselves for symptoms of measles until December 4 and consider avoiding public gatherings or high-risk settings during this period. This advice is especially important for those who have not been vaccinated with the MMR vaccine.
The CDPHE emphasized the importance of vaccination. “Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, your family, and your community. Measles is highly contagious and can sometimes lead to serious health problems, but it is a vaccine-preventable disease. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a characteristic rash that usually starts several days later on the face and spreads. The MMR vaccine provides strong protection.”
People exposed to measles typically develop symptoms within 7 to 21 days after exposure. Officials advise anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever or rash to contact their healthcare provider by phone before seeking care in person to avoid spreading the illness further. If no provider is available, individuals should call an urgent care center or emergency department ahead of arrival.
For more information about measles symptoms, transmission methods, vaccination guidelines, current case details in Colorado for 2025, and locations where exposures may have occurred, residents can visit the CDPHE’s dedicated webpage at https://cdphe.colorado.gov/measles.
