The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and Gaston County Public Health are warning residents of a confirmed measles case involving an individual who traveled through Gaston County while infectious.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus spread through coughing, sneezing, and contact with respiratory droplets. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left an area.
Health officials say anyone who visited Constantine’s Restaurant, 1825 S. New Hope Road in Gastonia, after 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 26 may have been exposed. Those individuals should monitor for symptoms through Jan. 16. Anyone who develops symptoms should contact their local health department immediately and remain at home unless seeking medical care. Patients are urged to call ahead before visiting a doctor or emergency room so precautions can be taken to protect others.
The infected individual also attended Christmas Town USA in McAdenville from 5:30–8 p.m. on Dec. 26. Because they did not enter any indoor spaces, officials say the risk of exposure to others at that event is low.
Public health officials recommend that all unvaccinated individuals ages 1 year and older receive the measles vaccine. Infants ages 6–11 months who will be traveling internationally or to areas with active outbreaks are also advised to be vaccinated. NCDHHS offers an online measles immunity checker for those unsure of their vaccination status.
As of Dec. 30, the CDC has reported 2,065 measles cases across 44 states—the highest number recorded in the U.S. since the widespread adoption of the second MMR vaccine dose in the early 1990s. North Carolina has reported one recent case in a Polk County child who was exposed while visiting Spartanburg, S.C., an area experiencing one of the Southeast’s most active outbreaks.
Measles symptoms typically appear 7–14 days after exposure but can take up to 21 days to develop. Symptoms may include:
- High fever (sometimes exceeding 104°F)
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- Tiny white spots inside the mouth (Koplik spots)
- A red, blotchy rash that begins on the face and spreads downward
Measles can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis, particularly in young children. Globally, the disease caused an estimated 95,000 deaths in 2024, mostly among unvaccinated children under age five. Thanks to vaccination efforts, measles deaths have dropped 88% since 2000, preventing nearly 59 million deaths worldwide.
Health officials emphasize that the MMR vaccine is safe, effective, and the best protection against measles and other vaccine‑preventable illnesses. North Carolina residents can contact their healthcare provider or local health department to schedule vaccination. Children eligible for the Vaccines for Children program may receive the vaccine through participating providers.
More information about measles is available at dph.ncdhhs.gov/measles.
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