NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The first measles case of 2025 has been confirmed in the state, and it’s in Middle Tennessee, according to the Tennessee Department of Health.

Health officials said the infected person is recovering in their home, while doctors and people worry about the viral infection spreading.

The measles is an infection some people said they weren’t too surprise was spreading, Breanna Thomas said she almost expected it.

“I’m going to be honest I wasn’t too shocked because a lot of mothers and fathers are very hesitant to vaccinate their children,” Thomas said.

Doctor Joseph Gigante with the Monroe Carole Junior Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt said the spread of measles seemed to be moving fast.

“Unfortunately, the most recent outbreak that started in west Texas has now spread,” Dr. Gigante said.

The Tennessee Department of Health announced a measles case was found in Middle Tennessee in March on Friday.

“This is where you get really worried and really concerned,” Dr. Gigante said.

Tennessee health officials said measles is highly infectious. The virus spreads through the air when an infected person speaks, coughs or sneezes.

Officials said the person in Middle Tennessee was infected in early March, but they’re investigating to find out where or how they got the virus.

“It’s a tragedy, but it’s so easy to prevent measles. The best thing parents could do is to vaccinate your child,” Dr. Gigante said.

Doctors said watch out for symptoms of small bumps, high fever, cough and a runny noise. Measles can also be fatal.

“There could definitely be a mini epidemic here in Tennessee for sure,” Thomas said.

The department reports that there’s an active national measles outbreak with over 300 cases in 11 states, including two deaths.

“I would hope that the cases are quarantined very well and even put in isolation rooms if they do have to go unfortunately to the hospital,” Thomas said.

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