Zack Moore, the state epidemiologist, stated that this case was anticipated due to the ongoing national outbreak.

The child was in the area from June 19 to June 22, arriving at PTI airport on June 19 and staying at the Sleep Inn in Kernersville.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed the first case of measles in 2025, involving a child who traveled to Forsyth and Guilford counties after exposure to recent outbreaks abroad.

The infected child has been treated and is recovering, with an isolation period set to end by Thursday.

This incident highlights a concerning trend in North Carolina, where the percentage of unvaccinated children has tripled over the past 15 years, rising from less than 1% in 2011 to nearly 3% now.

Despite this, over 90% of Forsyth County residents are fully vaccinated against measles, which helps provide community protection against outbreaks.

Health officials emphasize that the best prevention against measles is vaccination with two doses of the MMR vaccine.

Officials recommend that anyone who visited the affected locations review their vaccination status and monitor for symptoms.

Those who may have been exposed should locate their vaccination records and stay home for 21 days if they are not immune.

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may be available for certain high-risk individuals, such as infants and immunocompromised individuals, although the exposure window for this case has passed.

A news conference is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. to provide further updates on the situation.

Symptoms of measles, which can develop 7 to 21 days after exposure, include high fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes.