This Valentine’s season is a good time to revisit one of infection prevention’s most reliable love stories: the partnership between measles vaccination and early public health response. 

In 2025, the United States saw the highest number of measles cases in more than 30 years, with more than 2,200 people sickened and three deaths reported. After decades of progress, measles is once again reminding us why consistent prevention efforts still matter. 

What to Expect: 

• CDC Measles Cases and Outbreaks:  Up-to-date national data on measles cases, outbreaks, and trends. 
• MMR Vaccination Coverage Gaps Map: New mapping tools that show where vaccination coverage is lower and where outbreaks are more likely. 
• JAMA Patient Page: What Is Measles? A clear, visual overview of measles symptoms and transmission, including images that show how measles rash can appear on different skin tones, supporting inclusive education. 
• Measles Myths and Facts Factsheet: A simple, evidence-based handout that helps staff and patients separate common measles myths from facts. 

How to use it: 

• Build a microlearning moment. Choose one resource per week to review briefly during staff meetings, huddles, or shift change to reinforce key prevention concepts without adding time burden. 
• Strengthen onboarding and refreshers. Incorporate these resources into onboarding or annual education to reinforce measles prevention, vaccination importance, and early response expectations. 
• Practice vaccine conversations. Pair the Measles Myths and Facts factsheet with role-play or discussion to help staff practice responding to common questions or misconceptions with clear, evidence-based messages. 

This Valentine’s Day, fall back in love with measles prevention and the tools that help keep everyone safer. 

Target Audience: Essential IPC Education Level 

Virginia Department of Health (VDH)

• Clinician Letter: Respiratory Illness and Measles Updates for Virginia (1/21/2026)
  • The clinician letter reports that respiratory illness activity in Virginia has declined but influenza-related hospitalizations remain elevated, and clinicians should continue vaccination, testing, and prompt antiviral treatment for high-risk patients.
  • The letter also warns of ongoing measles cases and exposures in Virginia, urging clinicians to maintain a high index of suspicion, immediately isolate suspected cases, notify public health, and ensure staff and patients have documented MMR immunity.

Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)

• New White Paper on Centralized Health-Associated Infection Surveillance Programs and Micro-Credential to Advance Centralized HAI Surveillance and Patient Safety (1/20/2026)
  • This paper offers guidance and expert perspectives on implementing centralized surveillance programs for healthcare-associated infections (HAI) data within health systems, a key step toward more standardized HAI measurement and prevention. It emphasizes improving surveillance accuracy, data use, and patient safety.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Updated 2026 National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Surveillance Protocols (January 2026)
  • CDC updated the NHSN Patient Safety Component Manual, including Antimicrobial Use and Resistance (AUR) Module protocols and data definitions used for facility reporting. These updates include new documentation and reporting guidance, effective for 2026 surveillance. A summary of updates is available on the CDC website.