Feb. 9, 2026
Union County Public Health is notifying the community of one confirmed case of measles in Union County. The case involves a school-aged child who does not attend school in Union County and is the only known measles case locally at this time. The child sought care at American Family Care (AFC) Urgent Care in Indian Trail, where measles testing was collected. As a result, individuals who visited AFC Urgent Care, located at 14001 E. Independence Blvd., Suite C, on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, between 5:20 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. may have been exposed. Based on the most recently available data, this is the first known measles case in Union County in at least 35 years.

Read the Feb. 9, 2026 news story, “Union County Public Health Confirms Measles Case in Union County.”

Read Jan. 23, 2026 news story, "Public Health Issues Quarantine Orders Related to Measles Exposure at Private School."

For the most up-to-date list, visit NCDHHS Exposure Locations List.

Shining Light Baptist Academy
2541 Old Charlotte Highway, Monroe
All day on Jan. 20, 2026
Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 10 

What should I do if I was exposed to measles?

1. Check the Exposure Locations 

Review the list of locations and dates where measles exposure may have occurred. If you were there during the listed time, you may have been exposed. 

2. Check Your Immunity

Locate your vaccination records or other proof of immunity. You're unlikely to get measles if you've gotten the MMR vaccine or have other evidence of immunity.

If you are immune, monitor for symptoms of measles for 21 days.

If you are not immune:

• Contact your health care provider or local health department. Call first to set an appointment and inform them of your exposure. They'll take steps to protect you and others.
• Your doctor may recommend:
  • The MMR vaccine, or
  • A medicine called immune globulin to reduce risk.
• Stay home for 21 days after exposure to measles and monitor for symptoms of measles. 

3. Know the Symptoms and When to Seek Care

Symptoms usually begin 7-14 days after exposure but can take as long as 21 days to appear. Common symptoms include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes
• Rash (often starts on the face and spreads)

Alert your care team to protect others!

Have someone call in advance and let them know a person with measles is coming in so they can prepare and take steps to protect you and others.

How do I know if I'm immune to measles? 

You're considered immune to measles if you were born before 1957, or you have:

• Written documentation of vaccines for measles,
• Laboratory evidence of immunity (such as a positive antibody test), or
• Laboratory confirmation of measles.

Many people get vaccinated as a child to go to child care or school.

North Carolina requires measles vaccination for these settings. More about NC school requirements and exemptions.

Can I still get measles if I've been vaccinated?

Yes, but getting measles if you've been vaccinated is rare. If this happens, symptoms are usually milder.

One dose of MMR vaccine is about 93% effective at preventing measles. Two doses are about 97% effective.

How Does it Spread? 

A person with measles can spread the infection up to four days before their rash starts through four days after it starts. Measles spreads quickly through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. If one person has measles, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not immune. Because it is so contagious, people should stay home and contact their healthcare provider if they suspect they have measles. 

What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?

• Quarantine applies to people who were exposed but are not sick.

• Isolation applies only to people with confirmed measles.

Quarantine helps prevent spread while monitoring for symptoms.

How much risk can one unvaccinated individual create?

If one person has measles, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby who are not immune can become infected. The virus spreads through the air and can remain in a room for up to two hours after an infected person leaves, even if there is no direct contact.

Measles also requires about 95% community immunity to stop spread. When vaccination rates drop, even in small groups like a school or gathering, a single case can quickly lead to an outbreak.

• One out of five unvaccinated people who get measles will be hospitalized.
• One out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children.
• About one child out of every 1,000 who get measles will develop encephalitis (swelling of the brain) that can lead to convulsions and can leave the child deaf or with intellectual disability.
• For every 1,000 children who get measles, one or two will die from it.

When should I seek emergency care? 

Measles typically starts with cough, runny nose, and red eyes. It often leads to a rash and fever above 101 degrees Fahrenheit. If you think you have measles, get medical care.

Don't delay: Symptoms can get worse over time, leading to complications and even death.

Seek emergency medical care immediately if you have any of these signs:

• A hard time breathing or breathing faster than normal.
• Signs of severe dehydration (dry nose and mouth, urinating less than usual).
• Confusion, decreased alertness, or severe weakness.

For young children:

• A blue color around the mouth.
• Crying without making tears.
• Unusually low energy.
• Severe loss of appetite.

In the event of an emergency, call 911.

Alert your care team to protect others

Have someone call in advance and let them know a person with measles is coming in so they can prepare and take steps to protect you and others.