Public Health Offering Same-Day Vaccines After Measles Detected in Mecklenburg County Wastewater

Mecklenburg County Public Health reports that measles has been detected during routine wastewater surveillance in a sample from the Sugar Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Facility. No cases have currently been identified in the county. Public Health continues to investigate and monitor the situation as cases have recently been reported in North Carolina, and a measles outbreak of more than 300 cases is ongoing in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The Mecklenburg County Public Health Immunization Clinic is offering walk-in-services for the MMR vaccine at all clinic locations.

“Vaccination remains the best tool we have to prevent illness and protect our community from a large-scale outbreak,” said Dr. Raynard Washington, Mecklenburg County Public Health director. “With measles detected in the county’s wastewater, now is the time to make sure your kids are up to date on their vaccines as cases continue to rise in the Carolinas and across the country. The measles vaccine is safe and highly effective.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 2,144 confirmed cases of measles in the United States in 2025, the highest number of cases since measles was declared eliminated in 2000. As of Jan. 9, 2026, there have been six recently reported cases in North Carolina—in Polk County, Buncombe County, and Rutherford County. The last confirmed case in Mecklenburg County was in 2024.

Measles is a viral illness that can have serious health complications and can easily spread. The symptoms of measles include a fever, runny nose, cough, rash and red eyes. Around 90% of unvaccinated individuals who are exposed to measles will become infected. And about one in five people in the United States who get measles will be hospitalized.

Children should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine–the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age and the second dose four through six years of age. One dose of the vaccine is 93% effective at preventing measles and two doses is 97% effective. If you previously received the recommended measles vaccine, you do not need a booster. If you're not sure whether you should get a dose of measles vaccine, talk with your healthcare provider.

If you see symptoms of measles, call your doctor, clinic or emergency department right away. It’s important to call a healthcare facility before you go to get instructions to prevent further spread of measles.

The MMR vaccine is widely available at healthcare providers and retail pharmacies across Mecklenburg County, and it is offered for free or low-cost at the Mecklenburg County Public Health Immunization Clinic. Public Health’s mobile health unit will be providing vaccines on-site at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools locations throughout the rest of the school year.

Wastewater surveillance is a crucial public health tool that monitors community health by detecting pathogens in wastewater, providing early warnings for outbreaks and informing public health responses.