Tennessee Reports First Measles Case Since 2019

As the global measles outbreak continues in 2024, a 32nd U.S. state confirmed its initial case.

The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) recently confirmed that a Tennessee resident who recently traveled internationally is recovering from a measles infection.

As of September 14, 2024, TDH has not identified additional measles cases in Tennessee. The last year in which TDH reported positive measles cases in Tennessee was 2019.

On September 5, 2024, the U.S. CDC reported 251 measles cases in 31 jurisdictions this year. So far this year, Chicago (61), Minneapolis (49), and Portland (31) have reported an unusual number of cases.

The measles virus can spread through the air when an infected person speaks, coughs, or sneezes. It can live for up to two hours in the air or on a surface. 

Symptoms include fever, headache, and general unwellness, followed by fever, rash, cough, red eyes, or congestion, says the TDH.

To notify international travelers of the measles outbreaks, the CDC reissued a Level Travel Health Advisory in August 2024, identifying 56 countries reporting measles cases to alert international travelers of the ongoing health risk.

The CDC recommends that international travelers speak with a healthcare provider at least one month before traveling abroad about measles vaccination options.