Maryland Measles Travel: How Families Can Prepare Before A Trip

CALIFORNIA, Md. — Travel brings opportunities to visit family, explore new places and experience different cultures. It can also increase exposure to illnesses that may be uncommon at home but still circulate in other parts of the United States and around the world. One of those illnesses is measles.

For Maryland families planning vacations, business travel or visits with relatives, preparing for measles is an important part of a travel health checklist. Making sure everyone is up to date on recommended vaccinations before departure can help reduce the risk of illness and prevent disruptions to travel plans. As of mid-July 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had confirmed 2,260 measles cases nationwide for the year, and the Maryland Department of Health had confirmed nine cases in Maryland, all linked to travel.

Whether you live in Southern Maryland, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore or the Washington area, taking time to review your family’s vaccination status before a trip can make travel safer and less stressful.

Why Measles Remains A Travel Concern

Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes, according to the Maryland Department of Health. Because it spreads so easily, even a single case can lead to additional infections among people who are not protected, and the department has said the virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infectious person leaves an area.

Although widespread vaccination has greatly reduced measles in the United States, travelers can still encounter the virus in places where outbreaks occur. The CDC says U.S. measles cases often originate from unvaccinated international travelers, and someone who becomes infected while traveling may not develop symptoms until after returning home, creating the potential for exposure in schools, workplaces, airports and other public settings. Nine of Maryland’s measles cases in 2026 have been travel-linked, and 93% of confirmed cases nationally that year involved people who were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status, according to public health data cited by the Montgomery County Medical Society.

For that reason, health officials continue to encourage travelers to confirm they have appropriate protection before leaving home.

Review Your Family’s Vaccination Records

One of the most important steps before traveling is checking vaccination records well ahead of departure. Waiting until the last minute may leave little time to schedule appointments or complete recommended vaccinations.

Parents should review immunization records for children and discuss any questions with their pediatrician or another health care provider. Adults should also verify their own vaccination history, especially if they are unsure whether they received recommended doses during childhood. Maryland residents can request their own records securely online through the state’s My Immunization Record (MyIR) system, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

If records cannot be located, a health care provider can help determine the best next steps based on age, medical history and current recommendations. In general, people who received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or who were born before 1957, are considered protected, the department says.

Know The Signs Of Measles

Understanding common symptoms can help travelers recognize when medical advice may be needed.

Measles often begins with fever and may include cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes before a rash develops, typically three to five days after initial symptoms and usually starting around the hairline and face before spreading downward, according to the Anne Arundel County Health Department. Because these symptoms can resemble other illnesses early on, travelers who become sick should contact a health care provider for guidance rather than assuming it is a minor cold.

Calling ahead before visiting a medical office allows staff to provide instructions that help protect other patients and employees. The Maryland Department of Health has said that people who may have been exposed should monitor for symptoms for 21 days.

Protect Your Community After You Return

Travel health does not end when the trip is over. If someone becomes ill after returning home, it is important to seek medical advice promptly and mention recent travel when speaking with a health care provider.

Sharing accurate travel information helps medical professionals evaluate possible causes of illness and determine appropriate care. Healthcare providers can also report confirmed or suspected measles cases directly to their local county health department, such as the Anne Arundel County Health Department.

Maryland families also play an important role in protecting neighbors, classmates and coworkers by staying current with recommended vaccinations and following medical guidance if illness develops. Statewide, about 96.4% of Maryland kindergarteners were vaccinated against measles for the 2024-2025 school year, according to the Maryland Department of Health, a rate that remains just below the 95% community-protection threshold in some local areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

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