Measles Warning Issued for Anchorage
Recent reports indicate that at least one person in Anchorage contracted measles in early to mid-July, raising concerns about the potential spread of this highly contagious disease within Alaska’s largest city, as warned by state health officials.
The evidence comes from wastewater testing.
Recent samples from the John M. Asplund Wastewater Treatment Facility detected genetic material from the measles virus, specifically the strain responsible for outbreaks in other parts of the U.S.
This suggests that an infected individual was present in the area serviced by this facility, according to Dr. Joe McLaughlin, Alaska’s state epidemiologist.
“While we can’t pinpoint exactly where this individual was, it also doesn’t clarify if there’s been any human-to-human transmission,” he stated.
This finding serves as an important alert for both healthcare providers and the public, McLaughlin noted.
“People should confirm their vaccination status, or that of their children,” he urged. If children are unvaccinated, it’s advisable to get them vaccinated, considering the virus’s presence in the community.
Measles RNA was detected in samples taken on July 7, 8, 9, and 14, though officials still await results from more recent tests.
Typically, samples from the Asplund plant are collected every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, as explained by Clayton Weingartner, the Division of Public Health’s wastewater surveillance coordinator.
Conducting these tests is quite complex and costly, which contributes to the ongoing wait for results from the latest round of sampling, he explained.
For now, public health officials recommend that residents of Anchorage and other Alaskans remain vigilant for symptoms of measles.
Measles symptoms generally appear a week or two after infection, manifesting as a high fever, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash. Given its seriousness, particularly among young children, vigilance is crucial. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported three measles-related deaths in the U.S. last year.
As of this Tuesday, there were no new cases reported in Anchorage. The last recorded case occurred in October, involving an adult who tested positive after traveling from another state. A child had also been diagnosed in May 2025.
Health officials noted there were four measles cases identified in Alaska last year.
Dr. McLaughlin emphasized the importance of staying aware.
“Currently, there are more measles cases in the U.S. than any time in the last 35 years,” he mentioned, highlighting the peak tourist season when travelers bring various pathogens into Alaska, including measles. Given that measles is the most contagious virus known, this is a notable concern.
Moreover, the vaccination rate in Alaska is relatively low compared to the national average.
If there’s any suspicion of measles infection, McLaughlin advised notifying medical providers immediately, as the virus can easily spread in clinic settings.
Identifying a case requires tracing potential exposure points, like daycare centers, shops, and other public spaces, which is a considerable undertaking.
Alaska uses wastewater sampling to monitor a range of diseases, including COVID-19, various influenza strains, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and measles.
Several locations are involved in the National Wastewater Surveillance System established by the CDC in 2020 to help track disease spread. The Asplund plant, serving most of Anchorage, uniquely participates in a more advanced testing initiative called WastewaterSCAN.
Weingartner pointed out that the WastewaterSCAN program has very limited testing availability.
In addition to the Asplund facility, organizations like the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, the University of Alaska Anchorage, and the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation are also testing wastewater for disease pathogens. Regular samples are taken in locations including Eagle River, Juneau, and Bethel.
