Hartford County Adult Is Connecticut's Third Measles Case Of Year: State

Key Points:

• Connecticut reported its third measles case in 2026, the highest since 2019, involving an adult who was hospitalized with symptoms including high fever and rash; the person's vaccination status is unknown.
• Nationally, measles cases have surged to 2,777 as of August 20, the highest annual total since 1991, with about 93% of patients unvaccinated or having unknown vaccination status, according to the CDC.
• Measles is highly contagious, spreading through airborne droplets, and poses serious health risks, especially to children under five; approximately 20% of unvaccinated measles patients in the U.S. require hospitalization.
• Health officials emphasize the effectiveness of two doses of the MMR vaccine, which are about 97% effective in preventing infection, and recommend verifying vaccination status before international travel.
• Connecticut maintains one of the highest MMR vaccination rates in the country, with 98.6% of students having received two doses by kindergarten, compared to the national average of 92.4%.