By VDC staff

North Country Hospital in Newport has begun screening visitors got measles as a precaution following confirmation of several measles cases in the Northeast Kingdom, according to a November 9 report by the Caledonian-Record, the daily newspaper covering Essex, Caledonia, and Orleans counties.

The Vermont Department of Health today confirmed that a small group of connected individuals in Orleans County has contracted the disease. The hospital began asking visitors about possible measles symptoms over the weekend.

Steve Gonyaw, North Country Hospital’s communications director, told Caledonian-Record staff writer Dana Gray on Monday that no measles cases have been confirmed at the hospital.

The screening is being conducted “out of an abundance of caution,” Gonyaw said. Visitors are asked whether they have symptoms associated with the disease.

Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Rick Hildebrant said the department is providing testing, vaccinations and health guidance to those involved in the outbreak. The department is also coordinating with area hospitals and health care providers.

The Health Department said the threat to the general public remains low.

Most Vermonters have been vaccinated against measles. State data show that 94 percent of children attending public and independent schools receive the measles vaccine before entering kindergarten. That figure does not include homeschooled children or those not yet enrolled in school.

Public health officials generally consider a vaccination rate of 95 percent necessary to achieve community immunity.

Some Orleans County schools below vaccination target

Caledonian-Record’s review of state immunization data found that most of the 23 Orleans County schools reporting measles, mumps and rubella vaccination rates exceeded 90 percent during the 2025-2026 school year. Four schools fell below that level:

– Albany Community School: 86 percent

– New Hope Christian School: 79 percent

– Orleans Elementary: 88 percent

– United Christian Academy: 85 percent

Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury has also been alerted to suspected measles cases in the region.

Sarah India Lydon, the hospital’s communications coordinator, told the Caledonian-Record that the facility received a Health Alert Network notification. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention uses the network to distribute urgent public health information to medical professionals and health care facilities.

Jamie Dyson, the hospital’s infection preventionist, is reviewing the alert and determining the appropriate response, Lydon said.

Vaccination remains the best protection

The Vermont Department of Health is urging people who have not been vaccinated to contact their health care providers, particularly those planning to travel.

One dose of measles vaccine provides about 93 percent protection against infection, while two doses increase effectiveness to approximately 97 percent, according to the department.

Measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling and hospitalization. Babies and young children face particular risks.

CDC figures indicate that one to three out of every 1,000 children infected with measles die from respiratory or neurological complications.

Vermont has experienced relatively few confirmed cases in recent years. The state recorded one case in 2026, two in 2025 and two in 2024. Between 2011 and 2018, Vermont reported just two cases in total.

Symptoms and progression

Initial measles symptoms typically include a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. Small white spots may then develop inside the mouth.

A distinctive rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms. It usually starts as flat red spots along the hairline and face before spreading down the neck and across the body, arms and legs. Some spots may become raised or merge together.

When the rash develops, fever can climb above 104 degrees.

This report is sourced on reporting by Dana Gray of the Caledonian-Record, published Nov. 9, 2026. Editor’s note: Brownington, in Orleans County, is home to an Amish community. Amish and Mennonite communities are experiencing outbreaks of measles nationwide. Pennsylvania has recorded over 1,350 measles cases this year—with more than a third centered in Lancaster County. However, there is no known connection between the Vermont measles cases and the Amish community in Brownington.