Why stopping measles now matters: insights from infectious disease expert

As of February 19, 2026, 982 measles cases have been confirmed in the United States in 2026. At the end of 2025, a total of 2,276 measles cases were reported across the country. The Virginia Department of Health has identified two more cases of measles at the end of February 2026 in Northern Virginia, bringing the total up to ten total confirmed cases in the state as of February 20, 2026. Measles continues to spread across the nation and does not appear to be slowing down, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data. In an updated interview, former CDC disease detective, epidemiologist and infectious disease expert Amira Roess answers questions about the evolving measles situation.  

Due to rising cases, the U.S. is at risk of losing its measles elimination status. Read the interview with Roess, measles elimination versus eradication: the difference and why it matters. 

Should Northern Virginians and people in the DC-area be concerned about contracting measles? 

Most Virginians have immunity to measles from the vaccine, but you should always remain vigilant of potential exposure. In one of the most recently reported cases, the individual is reported to have been to a number of public locations while infected; find them here. Northern Virginia is a very busy and highly sought out place for conferences, meetings and tourism. We have two busy airports and unfortunately some of the infected individuals came through those airports unknowingly exposing many.  

Most of us in Northern Virginia are adequately vaccinated and are not at risk of being sick if we are exposed. However, infants who are not yet fully vaccinated and individuals who are immunocompromised do have to remain vigilant and those who care for them must also be careful.  

What can we do to stop the spread? 

First and foremost, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the most effective protection against the measles virus. Two doses offer lifetime protection. Confirm with your health care provider that you and your loved ones are up to date on your immunizations. As with all infectious diseases, practicing good hygiene is important to limiting spread.  

If you believe you have been exposed to measles, the Virginia Department of Health offers step-by-step actions you should take. 

Why is it important to stop the spread at this time? 

Preventable deaths 

Hospitalizations and deaths from measles are preventable. We have a vaccine that has been shown to be effective in preventing measles infection and has been shown over and over again to be safe. The good news is that most people in the U.S. are already vaccinated, and most parents want to vaccinate their kids. There are small groups of individuals who oppose vaccination and they are fueling this outbreak, which is sickening and killing mainly unvaccinated individuals.  

Immunocompromised individuals  

One of the things we worry about is that there are a lot of immunocompromised individuals who are at risk of severe illness if they get measles. Think about how many people you know who are on immunosuppressive medications, who have heart disease, diabetes, or cancer. It represents a growing percentage of the U.S. population.  

Possible strain mutations 

We also have to consider what this growing outbreak means for the risk of mutations arising that can lead to an even more infectious virus. So far no concerning mutations have been found. For decades measles has been a relatively stable virus, so the same vaccine has been in use and has been very safe and effective. If measles is allowed to spread unchecked, we could be in serious trouble of risking the virus mutating, leading to the vaccine becoming less effective in protecting against the virus.  

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MEDIA INQUIRIES: For reporters who wish to speak to Amira Roess about measles or other emerging diseases, please email media contact Michelle Thompson at mthomp7@gmu.edu.   

Amira Roess is a professor of global health and epidemiology at George Mason University's College of Public Health, Department of Global and Community Health. She served as an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer at the CDC (a disease detective). She is an epidemiologist with expertise in infectious diseases epidemiology, multidisciplinary and multi-species field research and evaluating interventions to reduce the transmission and impact of infectious diseases. Roess oversees several longitudinal studies to understand emergence and transmission of zoonotic infectious diseases globally, including the emergence and transmission of Campylobacter (with support from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation), MERS-CoV (with support from the U.S. National Science Foundation), and the development of the microbiome during the first year of life. She studies links between food animal production and emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases emergence globally, and the effects of human and animal encounters on health and well-being.  You may find more information about her research here. 

About George Mason University      

George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls more than 40,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility. In 2023, the university launched Mason Now: Power the Possible, a one-billion-dollar comprehensive campaign to support student success, research, innovation, community, and stewardship. Learn more at gmu.edu.     

About College of Public Health at George Mason University     

The College of Public Health at George Mason University is the first College of Public Health in Virginia and a national leader in inclusive, interprofessional, public health research, education, and practice. The college is comprised of public health disciplines, health administration and policy, informatics, nursing, nutrition, and social work. The college offers a distinct array of degrees to support research and training of professionals dedicated to ensuring health and well-being for all. The college’s transdisciplinary research seeks to understand the many factors that influence the public’s health and well-being throughout the lifespan.  

The college enrolls more than 1,900 undergraduate and 1,300 graduate students in our nationally recognized programs, including 5 undergraduate degrees, 7 master’s degrees, and 4 doctoral degrees, and 10 certificate programs. Our graduates are uniquely prepared to thrive in an increasingly multicultural, multidisciplinary, community-focused public health landscape.