Hospitals Fighting Measles Confront a Challenge: Few Doctors Have Seen It Before
KFF Health News • • health
Key Points:
- In January, 7-year-old twin brothers with measles symptoms were not immediately isolated at Mission Hospital in Asheville, exposing at least 26 people and leading to a CMS "Immediate Jeopardy" designation due to failures in infection control despite prior staff training.
- Measles cases have surged nationwide in 2025, with over 3,000 infections reported, including more than 20 in North Carolina since December; outbreaks are concentrated in areas with low vaccination rates, prompting renewed public health campaigns.
- Health care workers face challenges identifying measles as its early symptoms resemble common viral infections, compounded by reduced federal guidance and communication under the current administration, which has also promoted vaccine skepticism.
- The CDC maintains that state and local
