Measles Cases Rise in Wake County; NCDHHS Launches Toolkit, Text Alerts

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported that measles cases in the state have risen to 15 since late December 2025 and has rolled out a measles toolkit and text notification system to alert people who may have been exposed. The announcement, issued Feb. 4, 2026, comes as public health teams work to speed warning and prevention efforts across counties, including Wake.

State officials said the Measles Cases and Outbreaks dashboard reflects the 15-case total, and that the first hospitalized case was announced last week. NCDHHS created a measles toolkit that includes flyers, graphics and other outreach materials intended for health care professionals, team leaders, community and business leaders, non-profit organizations and others who share health information with their communities.

Dr. Kelly Kimple, director of the Division of Public Health at NCDHHS, emphasized vaccination as the frontline defense. “Measles is not a disease of the past, it is still present in our state. Staying up to date on vaccinations is a simple but powerful step we can all take to keep our communities healthy,” she said.

To speed notifications, NCDHHS launched a text message system that will alert people who may have been present at a location during a specific date and time when exposure could have occurred and provide guidance on next steps. “Receiving a text message does not mean a person has measles, but it does mean they may have been exposed and should follow the guidance provided,” the state clarified in outreach summaries of the new system. In addition to text messages, people may also be contacted by their local health department, an NC Public Health Outreach Team member, or by phone, email or an in-person visit.

Local exposures tied to two North Carolina cases provide an example of how alerts may be used. Reporting identified potential exposures on Jan. 16 in Polk and Buncombe counties; anyone who visited the Food Lion in Columbus from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. is asked to watch for symptoms through Feb. 6, and anyone who visited the Mission Hospital emergency room waiting area on the evening of Jan. 16 is asked to monitor through Feb. 7. Wake County residents who traveled or work across county lines should be aware that exposure notifications may reach them if contact tracing indicates risk.

Public health reporting indicates most cases in North Carolina to date have involved unvaccinated individuals and are associated with travel to areas with known outbreaks. “To date, most measles cases reported in North Carolina have involved unvaccinated individuals and are associated with travel to locations with known outbreaks,” public health updates note, underscoring the link between vaccine coverage and risk.

NCDHHS continues to recommend that all unvaccinated individuals ages one year and older receive the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. The MMR vaccine is available through health care providers, many retail pharmacies, and participating providers in the Vaccines for Children program for eligible children. The department’s Feb. 4 release was issued in English and Spanish, and the bilingual announcement signals attention to language access, though public information about the language availability of text alerts was not specified.

For Wake County residents, the immediate actions are practical: check vaccination records, talk with your health care provider about MMR if you or a family member are unvaccinated, and watch for official text alerts or contact from local health staff. As the state expands outreach materials and notification tools, communities with lower vaccination access or higher barriers to care will need targeted support to prevent deeper spread. The toolkit and alerts are an important step; ensuring equitable access to vaccines and trustworthy communication will determine whether Wake County and neighboring communities avoid further escalation.