In the United States, cases of measles have been rare in recent decades, thanks to a solid infant vaccination program. But some cases inevitably appear every year while travelers cause the virus of other countries and infect unvaccinated people, mainly children.
These cases are no longer earplugs. Now that the measles vaccination rate rushed across the United States – partly to anti -vaccine feelings – boxes are increasing. Until now, in 2025, 14 epidemics have been reported in 33 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention American (CDC). (In comparison, in 2024, there were only 16 epidemics reported throughout the year.)
Scientists can now have a new way to catch cases. For the first time, the researchers published national information on the place where the measles virus is presented in wastewater.
Wastewater surveillance is a useful public health tool because it provides an objective overview of knowing where a given virus causes infections – often before traditional test methods. For viruses like measles, which infected people loses in urine, excrement or saliva, it can provide critical head to health officials. “This gives us a weather card the finger on the wind of what is happening with infectious diseases,” explains Dr. Marlene Wolf, assistant professor at Emory and principal researcher and co-program director of Emory University, Emory University, and really (which is the research organization of Alphabet Inc.).
Here is what wastewater reveals about measles in the United States
Adding measles to the wastewater test menu
Wastewater began to test wastewater in the United States for the COVVI-19 virus in 2020 and have since added other pathogenic microbes, including flu, RSV, Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), Norovirus, Enterovirus, MPOX, Candida Auris and Hepatitis A.
This spring, scientists began to develop a test to collect signs of the virus of active or wild measles that causes epidemics in the United States.
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So far, they have detected it on three sites: one day in Hollywood, MD.; Four days towards the end of May in Sacramento; And twice in mid-May at Stamford, in Connecticut, wastewater is only one wastewater surveillance network in the country, although it is the first to test measles at the national level. The CDC launched its national wastewater surveillance system in 2020 and includes more than 1,400 sites that cover 150 million Americans. Certain state health services, especially in Texas, where current measles epidemics have started – also testing wastewater samples. Wastewater collaborates with the CDC, but the CDC has not yet tested measles in wastewater.
Why wastewater Surveillance can be particularly useful for measles
Doctors who see patients with measles must report the case to the CDC so that the agency can follow it and respond to any epidemic. But people take time to develop symptoms, ask for medical care, be tested, then have their case report if the test is positive. In addition, the first symptoms of measles are common like fever, flowing nose and cough – before the revealing eruption appears. In addition, not everyone can get sick enough to know that they have measles, so their cases may not be reported. Still others may fall sick but do not have access to health care and therefore never ask for medical help.
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Wastewater monitoring these obstacles and can theoretically take evidence of the virus much earlier. This could be particularly useful with a very contagious disease such as measles, in which an infected person can quickly distribute the virus to up to 18 others. “These are anonymous tests that combine everyone in a community,” explains Wolfe. “And for measles, it is likely that the loss [of the virus] In wastewater occurs before people necessarily recognize what they have. »»
How wastewater data can help health officials
This type of monitoring for measles is too new to know if it can detect cases in a region before people start to test positive, says Wolfe. But wastewater surveillance has been able to take signs from the days of the COVVI-19 virus or sometimes even weeks before the start of cases in hospitals and test laboratories.
Over time, as more data is collected on measles, health experts can start looking for trends and models, such as the increase in the number of positive samples. This could help public health services concentrate resources such as vaccines in the fields where infections are spreading. If the number of positive samples begins to decrease, this information could also give them downstream when the infections are under control.
What to do if cases are detected Near you
Having vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself from measles infection, and immunization offers immunity close to life. Make sure that any eligible person is up to date on measles vaccines can help them avoid infection.
