‘Prevent it from spreading' Measles survivor encourages vaccination after case confirmed in Tennessee
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — With the Tennessee Department of Health confirming the state's first measles case in 2025 in a Middle Tennessee resident, the Knox County Health Department shares what symptoms you can look out for.
'Measles starts like the usual cold that we're seeing a lot of allergies right now, a runny nose, cough, feeling tired. That can start up to four days before that classic rash. The classic rash starts at the head and moves downward,' said Dr. Megan Edwards with the Knox County Health Department.
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Measles spreads through the air.
'The thing with measles is it hangs in the air for up to two hours after the person leaves, so somebody can come into a restaurant have that cold cough, but not have the rash yet and then someone else could come in two hours later and contract measles,' said Edwards.
Carol Harp, a mother and grandmother, had measles as a child prior to the vaccine.
'I was around 5, so I don't remember much but there were five children in the family and all five of us got it,' Harp said.
While there's only one confirmed case in Tennessee, Hamblen County mother Elizabeth Brown fears the data is underreported.
'Every family is unique, everyone is in perhaps challenging circumstances, unfortunate circumstances, some folks are scared to seek treatment, they don't have the means,' Brown said.
If you do have measles, treatment can vary depending on the person.
'Unlike things like COVID or Flu, we don't have great anti-virials for measles,' Edwards said. 'The treatment is mainly supportive so many people can recover at home, but some do need hospital care.'
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Edwards told 6 News the best way to treat measles is to prevent it.
'The measles vaccine is one of the best vaccines we have ever made, with just those two doses you can have 97% protection your entire life,' she explained.
Harp shares a similar sentiment, 'That more people will go and get vaccinated that are able to, so that you can possible prevent it from spreading.'
The Knox County Health Department tells 6 News that if you unsure whether or not you have received the measles vaccine you can call 865-215-5150.
Per vaccination recommendations, children should get the first dose at 12 through 15 months; and the second between 4 and 6 years old. The Tennessee Department of Health has noticed a drop in the MMR — or measles mumps and rubella — vaccination rate for children between 2 and 3 years old.
Do you need a measles booster amid rising cases?
As of March 20, the CDC has confirmed 378 measles cases in at least 18 jurisdictions this year, including Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, and Washington.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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