The US state of Virginia has reported its first confirmed measles case for 2025, raising fresh concerns about the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. Health officials at the Virginia Department of Health announced the case on 19 April 2025, emphasizing the critical need to maintain high immunization rates. This news is not only significant for Americans, but offers urgent lessons for Thai families and healthcare providers in an era marked by global travel, vaccine hesitancy, and infectious disease risks.
Measles, once considered on its way to global elimination thanks to widespread vaccination, has seen pockets of outbreaks across North America, Europe, and parts of Asia in recent years. These outbreaks have often been linked to declining vaccination rates, fueled by misinformation and disruption to routine childhood immunizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Virginia case reflects a broader trend—just months ago, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned of a sharp uptick in measles cases nationwide, mostly among unvaccinated communities. According to the CDC, over 90% of those infected in recent US outbreaks were not fully immunized, highlighting the persistent dangers posed by vaccine gaps (CDC, 2024).
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known, capable of spreading through the air even after an infected person has left the area. Symptoms typically include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a characteristic rash. Complications can be severe, ranging from pneumonia and brain swelling (encephalitis) to death—especially in young children and those with weakened immune systems (World Health Organization). In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that measles claimed over 200,000 lives globally, a figure experts now fear could rise again if vaccination rates continue to slide.
In the case of Virginia, health authorities are tracing contacts and urging anyone who may have been exposed to monitor for symptoms and check their immunization status. “Measles is a very serious disease, but it is preventable with two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine,” said Dr. Karen Shelton, Virginia State Health Commissioner, in the official statement. “We want to reassure the public that one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family is to make sure everyone is up to date with their recommended vaccines” (Virginia Department of Health).
For Thailand, which currently boasts high MMR vaccination coverage (over 97% among children, according to the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH Immunization Report, 2024), the Virginia measles case should serve as a warning, not a cause for alarm. With international travel resuming post-COVID-19, infected travelers could easily bring measles into Thailand, where even small drops in immunization could spark outbreaks. In fact, between 2019 and 2022, southern provinces such as Yala and Narathiwat reported sporadic clusters of measles tied to either vaccination gaps or cross-border transmission (MOPH, 2022). These outbreaks disproportionately affected Muslim communities due to missed routine immunizations during school closures and Ramadan fasting periods.
Thai health experts consistently stress the need for maintaining vigilance. “Even a single imported case can lead to dozens or hundreds of secondary infections if the community’s immunity drops,” notes Dr. Supaporn Wacharapluesadee, a virologist at Chulalongkorn University. “Measles does not respect borders—การฉีดวัคซีนคือกุญแจสำคัญ (Vaccination is the key),” she adds (Bangkok Post, 2023).
Global vaccine hesitancy, fueled by anti-vaccination misinformation online, remains a challenge. In the wake of COVID-19, some Thai parents delayed routine vaccinations for fear of visiting clinics or out of misplaced concerns about vaccine side effects. This has spurred the Ministry of Public Health to launch awareness campaigns targeting both urban and rural communities, including mobile immunization units in hard-to-reach areas and infographics accessible via the LINE messaging app (Thai Health Promotion Foundation). Religious and community leaders have also been engaged to counteract rumors and encourage participation in immunization drives—especially during the school holiday period.
Interestingly, Thailand’s experience offers several positive lessons for others. Following the large-scale outbreak among children under five in Yala in 2019, health officials ramped up community engagement through local religious figures and targeted vaccination days. By 2022, outbreak sizes had shrunk and immunization rates rebounded, demonstrating that coordinated public health messaging and easy access to vaccines can overcome hesitancy. Still, experts caution, complacency could undo decades of progress.
Looking ahead, international health organizations are urging countries to treat each imported case as a potential outbreak seed. The WHO recommends that at least 95% of children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine to prevent explosive measles spread (WHO Measles Overview). For Thai policymakers, this means continued investment in routine immunization programs, ensuring vaccine supply chains remain resilient, and keeping up public education in multiple languages and cultural contexts. Schools and universities should check that all students, staff, and faculty are protected—a policy that could be enforced during annual enrollment, with medical exemptions allowed where appropriate.
For Thai travelers heading to the US or other countries experiencing measles outbreaks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that all adults ensure they have had two documented doses of MMR before departure (CDC Travelers’ Health). Healthcare professionals recommend that parents discuss their young children’s vaccination status with a doctor well in advance of international travel.
The resurgence of measles in places like Virginia is a stark reminder for all societies, including in Thailand, that infectious disease threats persist as long as immunization rates fall below recommended levels. The lessons—เข้มแข็งกับการฉีดวัคซีนในทุกภูมิภาคของไทยหรือสังคมใดๆ (remain strong with vaccination efforts in all Thai regions or any society)—are universal.
In practical terms, Thai readers should ensure family members’ immunization records are up-to-date, participate in community information sessions on vaccination, and support national efforts to keep measles and other preventable diseases at bay. Consulting local health providers about upcoming school or travel-related vaccine requirements can also help prevent gaps. Viruses can cross continents faster than ever, but strong local immunity can keep our communities safe.
For further reading, see the official Virginia Department of Health news release on the 2025 measles case, the latest CDC updates, and WHO guidance for measles prevention.