NC health officials stress importance of vaccines after 1st reported measles case in 6 years [Video]

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Measles cases are on the rise across the country and globally.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services says the state has its first reported case of measles since 2018. The case involves a child in Mecklenburg County.

First case of measles reported in NC since 2018

According to a release from the DHHS, the child’s parents kept them at home after returning to North Carolina from traveling abroad, with the exception of a medical visit. DHHS officials says they are working with Mecklenburg County and the CDC to notify those who may have been exposed and the child’s travels did not involve any airports in North Carolina. The department tells CBS 17 the child did not require hospitalization and is recovering at home.

According to data from the CDC, since the pandemic, parents filing for vaccine exemptions have gone up to about 3%.

The last reported case of measles in Wake County …