HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) – Connecticut’s second measles case of 2026 in Connecticut was confirmed by state health officials in Monday.
The state Department of Public Health said the patient was a vaccinated adult in Hartford County.
“Testing was conducted over the weekend at the State Public Health Laboratory, and it should be noted the test yielded a weak positive result,” the DPH said in a news release.
The DPH said the Connecticut resident received two doses of the MMR vaccine and is recovering at home. The patient’s symptoms included fever, cough, and rash.
“Infections in vaccinated persons are typically milder and are less likely to spread to others,” the department said. “This person was exposed to the Connecticut adult with measles two weeks ago and had been monitoring for symptoms. While the MMR vaccine is highly effective and is the best way to protect yourself, your family, and your community, infections can still occur, especially following prolonged exposure.”
Measles is highly contagious and can spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
“Because this individual was vaccinated, their symptoms are milder and their test result is a low-level positive meaning that they are shedding a small amount of virus,” said DPH commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. “Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97 percent effective at preventing illness, but if you have been in close contact with someone with measles, you could increase your chance of becoming infected. That is why vaccination is still our best protection tool, both for the person exposed and to reduce the chance of spreading infection to anyone else.”
This is the second case of measles reported in Connecticut in 2026, the DPH noted.
State health officials said that nationwide, 2,134 cases of measles have been reported in 2026 so far, just 150 cases fewer than the number of cases reported in all of 2025.
Connecticut was one of the last states in the country and New England to confirm a measles case in 2026, earlier this month.
“Prior to this case, in the last five years, Connecticut had only had two positive cases of measles, and they were both unvaccinated and just returned from international travel,” the DPH said.
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