THE Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation continues to monitor the ongoing measles outbreak in the U.S. and is advising community members to take preventive measures against the infectious disease. Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Measles starts with fever, followed by cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Then a rash of tiny, red spots breaks out, starting at the head and spreads to the rest of the body. Symptoms usually begin 7 to 10 days after infection. Community members are encouraged to contact their primary care provider or CHCC Emergency Room ahead if they are experiencing symptoms of Measles.
Measles can cause serious health complications and may result in death, especially in children under five years of age and in infants under one year of age, who are too young to be vaccinated against the disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, and one out of 1000 develops encephalitis (swelling of the brain). Nearly one to three out of 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.
While the CNMI has not had any recent outbreaks or reported cases of measles, we are reminding the community that measles can be brought in when residents or travelers are exposed overseas and enter the CNMI. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC has reported that declines in measles vaccinations globally have increased the risk of larger measles outbreaks worldwide, including the mainland United States. As of April 9, 2025, a total of 607 confirmed cases were reported in 22 U.S. jurisdictions, with a recent confirmed case in an unvaccinated child in Hawaii. A total of 3 deaths, which include 2 children and 1 adult, who were all unvaccinated against Measles. Additionally, multiple states are experiencing clusters of outbreaks.
Your best protection against measles is vaccinations. The CDC recommends that individuals, especially children 1 year to 6 years old get the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine. Community members are advised to get vaccinated through their primary care provider or clinics.
For the complete MMR vaccine schedule, which includes individuals who may not need due to evidence of immunity, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/measles/vaccines/index.html
CHCC will be communicating via automated text message or telephone to community members who may need an MMR vaccine. Additionally, the CHCC Immunization Program will be offering the MMR, along with the Flu and Covid-19 vaccines at the following community-based outreach events:
• April 26, 2025 – Tanapag Youth Center (8 a.m. to 12 noon) May 3, 2025 – Garapan Fishing Base (8 a.m. to 12 noon)
• May 10, 2025 – Dandan Middle School Cafeteria (8 a.m. to 12 noon)
Outreach vaccination clinics will also be offered at daycares/schools throughout the months of April and May. Consent letters and Vaccine Information Statements will be disseminated to school administrators. For more information on outreach locations, dates, and times, please visit the CHCC Public Health Calendar of Events at https://www.chcc.health/chcc-calendar.php
The MMR and other vaccines are available at no-cost to individuals ages 0-18 years who have Medicaid, or no insurance through the CHCC Immunization Clinic, Children’s Clinic, Rota Health Center, and Tinian Health Center.
Vaccines are also available through the following CNMI provider locations: Medical Associates of the Pacific, Marianas Medical Center, Kagman Isla Community Health, Southern Isla Community Health, Tinian Isla Community Health, and Brabu Pharmacy. Please contact these locations for their vaccine availability and eligibility requirements.
Community members can also contact the CHCC Immunization Program at (670) 236-8745, open Monday to Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for inquiries on their vaccination status or for options in accessing vaccine provider locations.
More information about Measles is available at https://www.cdc.gov/measles/signs-symptoms/index.html
CHCC would like to thank the CNMI community, especially parents and caregivers, for doing their part to protect children and community members against this serious health threat.
For more information, follow @cnmichcc on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter; visit https://www.chcc.health/; or call (670) 234-8950.
