CDC Issues Measles Immunity Guidance for US Summer Camps Amid Near-Record Outbreaks

As summer camps approach, health authorities including the CDC and regional health units are urging camp operators to verify measles immunity among children, staff, and volunteers due to a significant measles outbreak in 2025. The CDC has issued new guidance warning that measles spreads rapidly in camp settings where close contact is common, emphasizing the serious health risks the virus poses. This year, the U.S. has reported over 1,190 confirmed measles cases, nearing the record set in 2019, with some regions like Windsor-Essex and Pennsylvania also reporting cases and urging vaccination compliance. Camp operators are encouraged to maintain vaccination records, establish protocols for suspected cases, prepare isolation spaces, and consider policies on unvaccinated individuals to prevent outbreaks. Public health officials stress that vaccination remains the only effective prevention method, and symptomatic individuals should stay home to avoid spreading the infection. These measures aim to protect communities and prevent the measles virus from reaching even higher levels during the summer camp season.