Vermont health officials report a confirmed measles case in an adult in Washington County who became sick after recent international travel. This is the first measles case in the state in 2026.

Investigation and response are ongoing, and the case does not pose a current risk to the public.

Confirmation of the case follows the detection of measles virus in wastewater in Washington County through the department’s wastewater monitoring program last week. While officials cannot definitively link the case to the detection, Health Commissioner Rick Hildebrant, MD, said this shows how monitoring can help improve our public health efforts.

“The early warning allowed us to put local health care providers on alert, which can help identify cases more quickly,” Hildebrant said. “This rapid public health response is critical to preventing the spread of measles, especially as we see more cases in Vermont and around the country.”

There is no treatment for measles, but the disease is almost entirely vaccine-preventable. About 1 in 5 people in the U.S. who get measles without being vaccinated are hospitalized. Health officials urge all people in Vermont to make sure they and their families are vaccinated against measles – especially children, for whom the disease is especially dangerous.

“Measles is an incredibly contagious illness,” Hildebrant said. “Because most people choose to get vaccinated, the risk to most Vermonters is low. But we encourage anyone who is not vaccinated to talk to their health care provider about making sure they are protected, especially if they are planning to travel outside the U.S.”

Vermont reported two cases of measles in 2025 and two in 2024.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is heading to Germany this week, where she is scheduled to speak at the Munich Security Conference.

This is the first time the conference has focused on city leadership, and Wu is scheduled to speak on Saturday as part of a panel on leadership and diplomacy that will also feature Mayor Vitali Klitschko of Kyiv, Ukraine, and Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, of Warsaw, Poland. Klitschko, the former heavyweight boxing world champion, is expected to participate virtually.

The conversation will mark the first all-mayor panel at the Munich Security Conference, a global gathering of leaders focused on international security and collaboration. Wu is the first American mayor invited to participate.

“Boston is a leading global city, and it’s an honor to be invited to share our progress at this important global forum for democracy and international collaboration,” Wu said in a statement. “Our city is known around the world as a beacon for freedom, and I look forward to connecting with leaders in government, business, education, and more to encourage greater investment in Boston and partnership for our shared future.”

The Alliance for Local Leaders International, which is facilitating the discussion, is paying for Wu and two of her aides to attend the conference, according to The Boston Globe.

Wu also traveled to Nova Scotia in November in an effort to strengthen Boston’s ties to Canada and receive the annual Boston Common Christmas tree.