Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) 
Alabama Emergency Response Technology (ALERT) 
Health Alert Network (HAN)
October 13, 2026
Measles case in Adult in Alabama
 
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has received positive PCR test results for measles from an adult individual who resides in ADPH’s Northern Public Health District.  This individual had traveled internationally and returned to the area prior to measles testing on 10/8/2026.  Although the individual likely contracted the illness outside of the United States, upon return, the individual visited several businesses in the Huntsville/Bailey Cove area while infectious (businesses listed below).  

For this case of measles, the possible exposures places/times are:

Subway: 7900 Bailey Cove Rd SE Ste D, Huntsville, AL 35802 (Willowbrook Shopping Center)
10/4, 10/5, 10/6 from 12:00pm-3:00pm
Publix: 12796 Bailey Cove Road Southeast, Huntsville, AL 35802
10/4 from 1:00pm-3:00pm

As a reminder, measles is considered infectious 4 days prior to rash onset through 4 days after rash onset.  The incubation period for measles, from the date of exposure, can be as short as 7 days or as long as 21 days, with the average onset of symptoms between 10-12 days after exposure.

Providers are urged to consider measles as a diagnosis for any patients presenting with an illness compatible with this disease.  Importantly, providers should identify suspected individuals through screening, isolate them to the extent possible, and inform public health immediately through the measles testing/consultation form, as required by Alabama regulations.
 
https://epiweb.adph.state.al.us/redcap/surveys/index.php?s=K494KKTAKC 

To serve the public, ADPH's Bureau of Clinical Laboratories (BCL) performs standardized measles PCR testing with prompt results after consultation with an ADPH physician medical officer, as noted above. See link below for information regarding submission of specimens to BCL.

https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/bcd/assets/adph-han-inhousemeaslestesting-02192026.pdf 
 
Unlike some other viral infections, measles has no specific treatment. The best way to prevent measles is to encourage patients to stay up to date with the MMR vaccination. Any exposed and susceptible/unvaccinated individuals, from this case, are outside of the window period for prophylactic measles vaccination. Some people may be eligible for prophylactic immunoglobulin.

https://www.cdc.gov/measles/hcp/vaccine-considerations/index.html