Louisiana
What we know about the first case of measles in Louisiana
Louisiana health department officials reported the state’s first confirmed case of measles in 2025 on Saturday, joining 24 other states in the worst outbreak in decades.
The Louisiana Department of Health reported that the adult patient is unvaccinated and lives in the New Orleans region.
Officials said the patient isn’t hospitalized, but will remain in isolation until no longer infectious. They believe the patient’s exposure is linked to international travel.
Louisiana health officials are working to identify and notify those who have come into contact with the infected patient.
Measles is highly contagious and can spread rapidly among unvaccinated individuals who have not received the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is recommended by Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham and other top medical experts.
Abraham told USA Today Network in a previous interview the measles vaccine has “proven to be safe and effective.”
“It’s good vaccine,” Abraham said. “I recommend it.”
Republican Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, a doctor and vaccine advocate who is chairman of the U.S. Senate Health Committee, also implored people to become immunized.
“Once measles starts spreading it is hard to stop,” Cassidy said in a text Saturday to USA Today Network. “If your children aren’t vaccinated, get them vaccinated!”
Measles cases can result in hospitalization and, in extreme cases, death. The measles virus can be particularly dangerous for babies and young children.
More than 700 cases of confirmed measles cases in the U.S. have been reported in 2025, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, resulting in 79 hospitalizations. Ninety-seven percent of the cases have occurred in patients who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.
The largest outbreak – more than 500 cases – is in Texas, where two children have died with the virus.
Louisiana Legislature leaders House Speaker Phillip R. DeVillier and Senate President Cameron Henry also responded to the state’s first case of measles in 2025.
“As Louisiana learns of its first reported case of the measles, the Legislature will continue to monitor the situation and support our experts at the Department of Health,” Henry said. “Anyone in the New Orleans region who is concerned about potential exposure should contact their primary physician for guidance.”
“After speaking with the Louisiana Department of Health about the first reported case of the measles, I have been reassured that preparations had been taken ahead of the outbreak in Texas and that our Department of Health partners were ready for this possibility,” DeVillier said. “Families who have questions or might have a loved one experiencing symptoms can reach out to their local doctor for advice and additional information.”
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.
BATON ROUGE, La. (KLFY) — Governor Landry has officially declared Louisiana under state of emergency.
The state emergency declaration covers Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne parishes.
The declaration was issued Thursday following the impacts of Tropical Storm Arthur, which brough rainfall and strong storms to parts of the state on June 17 and 18.
Officials said the National Weather Service has confirmed three tornadoes tied to the storm system.
Officials also reported record or near-record rainfall totals in Avoyelles and Pointe Coupee parishes over a 12-hour period.
The order allows the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to coordinate resources and provide assistance to local governments if needed.
Certain state purchasing and bidding requirements have been temporarily suspended to speed up emergency response efforts.
The declaration took effect immediately and will remain in place through July 18 unless it is lifted or extended.
State officials are urging residents to stay weather aware, avoid flooded roadways and follow guidance from local emergency managers.
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MONROE, La. (KNOE) – The North Louisiana Crime Lab released a June 2026 law enforcement bulletin warning of additional cases tied to cyclorphine, a synthetic opioid the lab says can be significantly more potent than fentanyl.
The bulletin, titled “Cyclorphine Update — Additional Cases & Footprint,” notes that drug evidence submissions testing positive for cyclorphine have been received from multiple parishes in North Louisiana.
What is cyclorphine?
According to the bulletin, cyclorphine is a synthetic opioid in the emerging orphine drug class. The lab said current toxicity data are limited, but laboratory studies indicate cyclorphine may be up to 10 times more potent than fentanyl.
Reported effects
The crime lab said cyclorphine can produce effects similar to other narcotic analgesics, including:
- Central nervous system depression
- Lethargy or stupor
- Respiratory depression with slow, shallow breathing
- Pinpoint pupils
The bulletin said Narcan should be administered to someone suffering from cyclorphine toxicity, and that multiple doses may be needed.
What the bulletin says about trends
The crime lab said national data indicate cyclorphine will likely continue spreading through the region, including becoming more common in seized and submitted drug evidence.
Where cyclorphine has been detected
The bulletin includes a “detection timeline and counterfeit tablet types,” showing evidence submissions tied to specific parishes and dates, including:
- Caddo Parish (Feb. 19; April 14)
- Ouachita Parish (March 18; May 13)
- DeSoto Parish (March 25)
- Natchitoches Parish (May 14)
The lab also noted counterfeit pill types associated with these submissions, including tablets labeled “M30,” “M15,” “K56,” “1259,” and “M367.” Officials warned it may be impossible to know what a pill contains, even if it resembles a known tablet.
The North Louisiana Crime Lab said it will continue tracking trends and sharing updates as additional evidence is submitted.
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