Infant who traveled overseas is New York City's 1st case of measles this year
NEW YORK CITY, New York (WABC) -- Health officials have confirmed New York City's first case of measles this year -- an infant who recently traveled overseas.
Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse said Thursday that the child was not vaccinated.
Due to privacy restrictions, officials cannot reveal where the child traveled to or where they live.
New York City saw 20 measles cases in 2025--a slight uptick from the previous year.
The city had a large measles outbreak in 2019 after an unvaccinated child returned from Israel, eventually spreading to nearly 650 people.
The health department released the following statement:
"As of this week, there has been one confirmed measles case in New York City. The case is in an unvaccinated infant with recent international travel. The Health Department is working to identify and notify people who may have been exposed. Fortunately, the risk to the public is low thanks to high vaccination rates among New Yorkers. Measles cases are increasing globally and in the U.S. due to decreases in vaccination, but the MMR shot remains the best defense against this highly contagious and deadly disease. The Health Department strongly urges parents of children ages 12 months and older to get the MMR vaccine for their children as soon as they are eligible."
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