Montgomery County currently has no active measles cases, even as outbreaks continue in Carroll, Cecil, and St. Mary’s counties, according to Dr. Kisha Davis, Montgomery County’s Health Officer.
Maryland has 51 confirmed cases through this year in comparison to 3 from last year.
‘Robust Herd Immunity’
“While Maryland health officials continue to monitor active measles outbreaks in neighboring jurisdictions, Montgomery County currently has zero active measles cases,” Dr. Davis said. “Our community remains strong against preventable disease thanks to our exceptionally high community immunization rates.”
Montgomery County Public Schools maintain a target vaccination rate of 96–97% among students, Dr. Davis said, providing “robust herd immunity that protects our classrooms, families, and medically vulnerable neighbors who cannot receive vaccines.”
National Measles Numbers
The local situation comes as the country logs its worst measles year in a generation. The United States declared measles eliminated in 2000, meaning the virus no longer circulated continuously within the country, though travelers occasionally brought it back.
As of July 23, 2026, the CDC had confirmed 2,318 measles cases nationwide, reported by 45 states, jurisdictions, and the District of Columbia, with 93% of cases tied to active outbreaks.
Health officials attribute the resurgence largely to declining childhood vaccination rates in various communities.
County Disease Control Program
Behind the scenes, Montgomery County’s Disease Control Program is coordinating with surrounding jurisdictions to track the outbreaks. The department also manages suspected and active cases tied to exposures that originated outside the county.
Preventive Measures
For residents concerned about exposure or vaccination status, the Montgomery County Health department recommends three steps:
- Verify immunization status through a primary healthcare provider.
- Get vaccinated: county health clinics offer free back-to-school and routine immunization services, so cost isn’t a barrier.
- Anyone who suspects exposure or develops symptoms, high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, followed by a rash should call their healthcare provider or urgent care before showing up in person, so the facility can take precautions to protect others in waiting areas.
“Vaccination is essential health protection,” Dr. Davis said. “We encourage all residents to use this moment as a reminder to ensure their family’s immunizations are fully up to date.”
