Infection hazard
Details
This is an expired event!
Event title
United States - Measles exposure reported in Gaston County, NC DHHS says
Source
Severity
Low
Event date (UTC)
2026-01-04 06:56:53
Last update (UTC)
2026-01-04 06:56:53
Area range
Local event
Address/Affected area(s)
Gaston County, NC
A person while infected with measles traveled through Gaston County, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS).The identity of the person will not be released to protect their privacy.f you were at Constantine's Restaurant on 1825 S. New Hope Road, Gastonia after 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 26, 2025, you have been exposed to measles and should monitor for symptoms until Jan. 16. This person also visited Christmas Town USA in McAdenville from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on that same day. However, they were not indoors, so the risk of transmission to others is low.If symptoms develop, NC DHHS say to contact your health department right away and stay at home unless seeking medical care. Call ahead before visiting the doctor or emergency room, so steps can be taken to prevent further exposure to others.As of Dec. 30, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 2,065 confirmed cases from 44 states in 2025. One of those measles cases was in North Carolina. NC DHHS said this is the highest number of measles cases reported in the United States since the second dose of MMR vaccine become widely used in 1990s.
What is measles?
Measles is a respirator disease that is spread through the air by coughing and sneezing. It can also be transmitted through contact with secretions from nose or mouth of an infected person. The virus can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person was present.Symptoms usually begin one to two weeks after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days. This includes:
High fever (may spike to more than 104 degrees)
Cough
Runny nose
Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth (Koplik Spots) two to three days after symptoms begin
A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin
The disease can lead to severe complications like pneumonia and encephalitis, especially in young children. Globally, measles killed 95,000 people in 2024 with most being unvaccinated children five and under.Public health officials recommend all unvaccinated people ages one and older receive measles vaccinations. The vaccine is also recommended for infants 6 to 11 months who are traveling internationally or to areas with active measles outbreaks.