Measles has come to Maine: What You and Your Family Can Do to Stay Healthy

On February 5, 2026, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services’ Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) confirmed one case of measles in an adult  from Penobscot County who had recently traveled to a state with measles cases.  This is the first case of measles reported in Maine since 2019, however, cases of measles have been increasing nationally with over 700 cases in 2026. Measles has been detected in some wastewater surveillance sites in the northeast.  As of Feb 20, 4 additional people have contracted measles through exposure to the first case; all four were not vaccinated.

About Measles

Measles is a highly contagious and potentially deadly respiratory disease caused by a virus that spreads easily from person-to-person. It can spread through the air by breathing, coughing, or sneezing. This disease is also called rubeola. Measles can be prevented with vaccines.

Symptoms

Symptoms of measles usually appear about 7 to 14 days after contact with an infected person. Measles usually begins with:

• High Fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes

Two or three days after symptoms begin:

• tiny white spots, called Koplik spots, may appear inside the mouth.

Three to five days after symptoms begin:

• rash begins as flat red spots, which may develop small, raised bumps on top
• rash starts on the face along the hairline, then spreads downward to neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet
• fever may spike to more than 104°F

Spread

Measles virus is highly contagious. Measles spreads in two main ways:

1. Measles virus lives in the nose and throat of an infected person. It spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
2. The virus can live in the air on surfaces for up to 2 hours. People can get infected by breathing the virus from the air or touching a contaminated surface and touching their eyes, nose, or mouth.

Measles only spreads between people. Animals do not get or spread measles.

If you have measles, up to 90% of the people close to you who are not immune will also get infected. An infected person can spread measles to others before they know they have the disease. Infected people can spread measles from 4 days before through 4 days after the rash appears.

People at Higher Risk

Measles can be serious in all age groups. Certain people are more likely to suffer from measles complications including:

• Children younger than 5 years of age
• Adults older than 20 years of age
• Pregnant women
• People with weak immune systems

Ear infections and diarrhea are common complications from measles. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis and may require hospitalization. Death from measles can occur.

Prevention

The best way to protect against measles is to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Children may get the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine instead, which protects against chickenpox, too. Most people who get vaccinated with MMR or MMRV will be protected for life.

Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective. Some people who get two doses of MMR vaccine may still get measles if they are exposed to the virus, but the disease is usually milder and they are less likely to spread the disease to others.

Who should get vaccinated?

• Children: All children should receive two doses of MMR. The first dose should be given at 12 through 15 months of age and the second at 4 through 6 years of age. CDC does not recommend measles vaccine for infants younger than 6 months of age.
• Any adults who do not have evidence of immunity to measles. This includes:
• Students at post-high school educational institutions.
• Healthcare personnel.
• International travelers.
• People of childbearing age before they get pregnant.

Talk to a healthcare provider about vaccine recommendations for you and your family.

Recommendations related to vaccination prior to travel – whether to an area with a known measles outbreak in the U.S., or to any destination internationally – are outlined below, in the Travel section.

CDC recommends that individuals born between 1957 and 1967 check their measles vaccination history. While most people in this age group have some immunity, some may need extra protection. You may need another measles vaccination if:

• You received the inactivated (killed) measles vaccine between 1963 and 1967. This version was ineffective.
• Get vaccinated with at least one dose of the live, attenuated (weakened) MMR vaccine.
• If you are not sure about your vaccination history or immunity.
• Get an extra dose of the live attenuated MMR vaccine.
• You are in a high-risk group. This includes health care workers, international travelers, and individuals in outbreak prone areas.
• Talk to a health care provider to make sure you are fully protected.

Travel

Measles cases in the US often originate from international travel. The best way to protect yourself from getting measles is by getting vaccinated.

Before international travel: Make sure you're protected against measles

• Plan to be fully vaccinated at least 2 weeks before you depart
• If your trip is less than 2 weeks away and you're not protected against measles, you should still get a dose of MMR vaccine

After international travel, watch for measles.

• Monitor for symptoms (fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, rash)
• Call a healthcare provider immediately if you think you or your child have been exposed to measles
• Resources

Source: Maine CDC website 

https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/rash-illness/measles#maine

Indoor Air Quality and Heating with Wood

Beth Tréhu, MD, Health Officer for Mount Vernon and Vienna

Jan 26, 2026

Brrr, baby it’s cold outside, and nothing is as nice as the heat from a wood stove! If you heat your home with wood and especially if anyone in your home has asthma, lung disease, or heart disease, you may find these suggestions from Maine CDC helpful.

What You Can Do To Improve Air Quality For Breathing While Heating With Wood

• Weatherize your home, such as closing up areas that will let heat escape.
• Have your chimney, flue, and woodstove inspected and cleaned at least once per year.
• Use wood pellets. They burn 25-50% cleaner than cord wood.
• Replace an old woodstove, fireplace, or fireplace insert (built before the late 1980s) with a newer more efficient EPA-certified equipment that uses less wood and burns up to 90% cleaner.
• If using cord wood, burn hardwoods that are clean, dry, and seasoned (>6 months) because they burn cleaner and are less likely to pollute the air.
• Never burn garbage, trash, plastics, styrofoam, paints, painted wood, salt water wood, cleaning chemicals such as solvents, charcoal/coal, or treated woods (treated with varnishes, sealants, or pressure-treated). These substances can result in toxins being burned and released into the air.
• Burn small hot fires. They produce less smoke than those that are left to smolder.
• Split wood into 4-6 inch pieces. Fires burn cleaner with more surface area exposed to the flame.
• Keep your home tobacco smoke free.

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Prevention of Lead Poisoning and Testing for Lead Dust

Beth Tréhu, MD, Local Health Officer for Mount Vernon and Vienna

Dec 23, 2025

At a recent Muffin Morning, I was asked about how to know if children in a home are at risk for lead poisoning.  Here is some helpful information from the Maine CDC.

Free Lead Dust Tests

If you live in a home that was built before 1950 and you have young children or grandchildren or children on the way, Maine CDC offers free home lead dust test kits. Order a free home lead dust test kit. Watch our video to see how to do the test.

Preventing Lead Poisoning

Growing up in a healthy home is an important part of your child’s development. Test your child and your home for lead to prevent lead poisoning. A tiny amount of lead dust can harm a young child. Children are more likely to be harmed by lead because their bodies and brains are still growing. Lead can cause behavior problems, learning disabilities, hearing damage, speech delays, and lower intelligence. Most young children with lead poisoning do not look or act sick. The only way to tell for sure if your child has lead poisoning is to have their blood tested. Talk to your child’s doctor about a blood lead test for your child. Maine requires all children be tested at 1 and 2 years of age.

Home and Property Owners

Dust from lead paint is the most common cause of lead poisoning in Maine. Lead dust falls on the floors where children crawl and play with toys. Children often put their hands and toys into their mouths. This makes it very easy for lead dust to get into and damage their growing bodies. If your home was built before 1950 it is very likely that it contains lead paint. Any building built before 1978 may have lead paint. Learn more about protecting your child from lead in your home (PDF).

Renovate, Repair or Paint Your Home

Any renovation, repair, or painting (RRP) project in a pre-1978 home or building can easily create dangerous lead dust. EPA requires that RRP projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, childcare facilities and preschools built before 1978 be performed by lead-safe certified contractors. Generally, EPA’s Lead RRP rule does not apply to homeowners doing RRP projects in their own homes. However, it does apply if you rent all or part of your home, operate a childcare center in your home or if you buy, renovate, and sell homes for profit.

Notice: Town Clerk’s Holiday Hours

I will be losing on Christmas Eve at noon.  I will be closed on Christmas and New Years Day.

Nomination papers

Also, please note that nomination papers are available for the 1st Selectmen's Position and the RSU 9 School Board position