Denver's public health authorities have reported a third case of measles in 2025 for a resident who visited an urgent care facility in Lakewood, Colorado. As reported by the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment, reveals that the individual, despite being vaccinated, contracted the disease after traveling to Chihuahua, Mexico, a region currently facing a measles outbreak.
Though the individual had completed their MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccination regimen, the case is being treated as a rare "breakthrough case". Having vaccinated, these occurrences are infrequent, with approximately three out of every 100 people still susceptible to infection, their symptoms tend to be less severe and less contagious. Public health officials emphasize that the risk of transmission comes from symptomatic people, not those without signs of illness.
The highly contagious nature of measles underscores the importance of vaccination. The MMR vaccine is reported to be 97% effective after two doses and 93% effective after one. Protecting individuals, families, and communities is best achieved through vaccination, the health authorities advise.
Concerns arise for those who frequent the exposure site during the times specified. Public health officials have identified Kaiser Lakewood Medical Offices Urgent Care at 8383 W. Alameda Ave. as a potential exposure location on Saturday, April 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Exposed individuals, especially those unvaccinated, should stay vigilant for symptoms for 21 days post-exposure and consider dodging public gatherings or areas with high vulnerability.
Measles symptoms, including fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a distinctive rash, can manifest 7 to 21 days following exposure. Anyone at the exposure site during the noted timeframe who develops these symptoms should contact their healthcare provider or an urgent care center by phone to prevent further spreading of the disease. The officials stress the need for calling ahead as a measure for preventing additional exposures.
