Colorado on Wednesday reported its 12th measles case of the year, in a Weld County adult who was hospitalized but has since been released.
The adult, who was unvaccinated, may have exposed others to measles during visits to a UCHealth emergency room and a UCHealth pharmacy in Loveland on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
State health officials said the case is not believed to be connected to the outbreak linked to two schools in Broomfield that has sickened at least 10 people. Instead, officials believe the adult caught the measles virus during recent travel to another state that is also experiencing measles outbreaks.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said that people who were at the following locations during the specified dates and times may have been exposed to measles:
| Location | Date/time | When symptoms may develop |
| UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies Emergency Department, 2500 Rocky Mountain Ave., Loveland | Tuesday, March 17 5:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Through April 7 |
| UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies Outpatient Pharmacy, 2500 Rocky Mountain Ave., Loveland | Wednesday, March 18 11:25 a.m. – 1:25 p.m. | Through April 8 |
Vaccination is the best protection against measles. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are considered 97% effective against measles, while one dose is 93% effective.
People who were exposed and who have not been vaccinated against measles can get vaccinated within 72 hours to help prevent getting sick. Another form of treatment, known as immunoglobulin, may also help prevent or lessen illness if given within six days of exposure.
Those who may have been exposed to measles should monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days. If symptoms develop — measles starts with general cold-like symptoms of fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes before progressing to a full-body rash that typically begins on the face — they should call either their local public health department or CDPHE at 720-653-3369.
If you think you might have measles, always call ahead before seeking medical attention at a hospital or clinic, to avoid exposing others.
Colorado recorded 36 cases of measles in 2025, meaning the state is already one-third of the way to last year’s total less than three months into 2026. All but one case so far this year has been in someone unvaccinated against the disease.
Nationwide, there have been more than 1,300 measles cases in 2026, with large outbreaks ongoing in South Carolina, Florida and Utah. There were 2,284 measles cases reported in the U.S. in all of 2025.