Delaware reports first measles case in more than a decade
Isabel HughesDelaware News Journal
Updated July 20, 2026, 7:27 p.m. ET
Delaware has reported its first case of measles in more than a decade
The Delaware Division of Public Health announced July 20 that an unvaccinated man in Kent County tested positive. It comes following an outbreak in neighboring Pennsylvania that began in late April
Delaware health officials warned in early July that it was only a matter of time before the state saw its first case
“We do feel that our Delaware community is at high risk,” said Dr. Ayanna Buckner, chief physician in the Delaware Division of Public Health’s Office of Epidemiology, July 9. “We spend so much time doing investigations around infectious diseases, and measles is the one that we are on pins and needles about this summer.”
Who tested positive for measles?
The Delaware Division of Public Health said the person who tested positive was an “unvaccinated adult male in Kent County.”
“A sample was tested and confirmed positive” July 20, DPH said. “Extensive contact tracing is ongoing to identify anyone exposed to the individual. DPH will notify people who were identified as exposed to confirm whether they have been vaccinated against measles, provide educational re
The division added that more information would be provided “if contact tracing reveals any known public exposures.”
What are measles?
Measles is a highly contagious, acute viral illness that begins with early symptoms of fever, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis (pink eye), lasting two to four days prior to rash onset
The rash typically occurs three to five days after symptoms begin and usually appears on the face and spreads down the body
Measles can cause severe health complications, including pneumonia, brain inflammation and death
The virus is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes
The measles virus can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area
Infected people are contagious from four days before the rash starts through four days after rash development
The incubation period for measles from exposure to fever is usually about 10 days, with a range of seven to 12 days. And from exposure to rash onset is usually about 14 days with a seven to 21-day range
How do you treat measles?
There is no specific antiviral cure for the measles
However, if you haven’t been previously vaccinated against the measles, you can still be vaccinated to head off the worst symptoms, if you act fast enough
“If people older than six months of age are exposed to measles and are not immune by previous illness or vaccination, they can get a measles vaccine for up to three days after contact with the virus,” advised the Mayo Clinic. “After the vaccine you don’t need to stay home, also called quarantine.”
Antibodies can also be given for up to six days after exposure, though they are prioritized for people who cannot get the measles vaccine, such as infants younger than 6 months old, pregnant women, severely immunocompromised people or people who have other medical contraindications to vaccination, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Got a story tip or idea? Send to Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com
