‘Not out of the woods’: Delaware doctor predicts more measles cases as the state’s outbreak rises to 5

July 30, 2026 - 01:51

A Delaware doctor is cautioning that the state is "not out of the woods" after the number of confirmed measles cases rose to five. The latest infections have prompted health officials to issue urgent warnings for unvaccinated residents who may have been exposed.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with the Delaware Division of Public Health, are urging people who have not received the measles vaccine to get the shots within three days of potential exposure. This window is critical for preventing the virus from taking hold. The MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, remains the most effective defense.

Health officials have not released specific locations of the exposures but are conducting contact tracing to identify anyone who may have crossed paths with an infected person. Measles is highly contagious and can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room. Symptoms typically include high fever, cough, runny nose, and a distinctive red rash.

The current outbreak is part of a troubling national trend. Cases have been reported in several states, largely among unvaccinated individuals and communities with low vaccination rates. Delaware's public health team is working to contain the spread, but the doctor's warning suggests that more cases could surface in the coming days as the incubation period runs its course.