Measles has arrived in Rhode Island

Thank you, Donald Trump and Bobby Jr.

RI Health Department notice:

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is advising the public that a confirmed case of measles has been identified in Rhode Island. This was a case in a male from Providence County in his 40s who had recent international travel and returned to Rhode Island on April 13.

He went to Atmed Treatment Center on April 15, and he was tested for measles. He is recovering at home.

The last confirmed case of measles in Rhode Island was in January 2025. In addition, customers and staff at Panadería El Quetzal, 445 Hartford Ave., Providence, on April 15 between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. may have been exposed.

RIDOH has worked with Panadería El Quetzal and Atmed Treatment Center to notify staff and other people who may have been exposed.

RIDOH is working to identify and contact those people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of Global Migration Health (DGMH) was notified because people on the same flights as these individuals may have been exposed.

Anyone who was believed to have had contact with this patient during his infectious period are being contacted and provided with instructions on steps to help prevent any spread. As is protocol, RIDOH is taking additional measures in consultation with CDC.

Those who could have been exposed and begin to develop symptoms of measles should call their healthcare professional before visiting an office, clinic, or emergency department. Visiting a healthcare facility may put others at risk and should be avoided if possible.

Anyone who has had measles in the past or has received two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is unlikely to develop measles even if exposed.

 The best way to protect against measles is with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. MMR is safe and effective.

Rhode Island has a very good MMR vaccination rate. Fortunately, approximately 97% of Rhode Island kindergarteners have completed the MMR series.

“Measles is almost entirely preventable through vaccination,” said Director of Health Jerry Larkin, MD. “Any parent or guardian who has a child at home who is older than a year old and has not been vaccinated against measles should talk to their child’s healthcare professional. For any family with insurance issues or trouble accessing care, RIDOH can make vaccine available at no cost.”

A first dose of MMR is generally given between 12 and 15 months old and a second dose is generally given between 4 and 6 years old. Anyone traveling internationally should be fully vaccinated before traveling.

It is very important that infants 6 to 11 months old get 1 dose of the MMR vaccine before international travel. Then they should get 2 more doses after their first birthday in accordance with the standard schedule.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. The measles virus lives in the nose and throat mucous of an infected person. It spreads easily to others when an infected person coughs or sneezes or through close personal contact.

According to the CDC, a room where a person with measles has been should remain empty for up to 2 hours after they leave, as the measles virus can remain infectious in the air for that duration.

Measles symptoms typically appear 7 to 21 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms typically include:

• High fever

• Cough

• Runny nose

• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)

• Tiny white spots inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek

• A rash made up of large, flat blotches.

Infected people can spread measles to others from four days before to four days after the rash appears. A healthcare professional may offer a preliminary diagnosis of measles for patients with fever, rash, and other measles symptoms.

RIDOH’s State Health Laboratories will confirm if the rash is caused by measles by testing nose swabs and looking for measles antibodies in blood.

If you or your child has recently travelled internationally or to a place with an active measles outbreak and develop a rash along with the symptoms listed above, please contact your healthcare professional.

There is no specific antiviral therapy for measles. Supportive therapy includes fever reducing medications, fluids, and treatment of bacterial superinfections, such as bacterial pneumonia and ear infections.

Treatment of other complications, such as seizures and respiratory failure, may also be necessary. There is a role for vitamin A in certain settings, and vitamin A supplementation may be beneficial for reducing measles severity and risk of complications. For more information on measles, visit https://health.ri.gov/measles.