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.