Public Health Updates as of 4/22/2026

To keep the community updated on public health developments, the Cambridge Public Health Department (CPHD) will provide regular updates on its website and in a dedicated space in the city’s daily email. Look for a recap of important public health information every other week.

Measles News.

1. The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) has reported that a person with measles visited Logan Airport very early Tuesday morning, April 14 (arriving on a flight that departed Monday evening from Florida). Any individuals who spent time in Terminal C between 12:00 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. on April 14 may have been exposed to measles. Unvaccinated individuals who have been exposed should contact their healthcare provider immediately. Unvaccinated exposed individuals also need to avoid public places (e.g. school, work, public transit, stores) and monitor for symptoms for 21 days (through May 5, 2026).  Learn more on the BPHC website.
   
2. Measles continues to spread throughout the US. As of April 17, the CDC has reported 19 new measles outbreaks and 1,748 confirmed new cases for 2026. The US is likely to lose its measles elimination status, which it has maintained since 2000. To prevent measles, ensure that you are up-to-date with the MMR vaccine. While MMR vaccination generally starts at 12 months of age, a first dose can be given as early as 6 months, especially if an infant will be traveling internationally or to an area of the USA currently experiencing an outbreak. Learn more about measles.

Tick Season. With the warmer months here, it’s important to be aware of ticks, tick bite prevention, and what to do if you or a loved one has been bitten. While you can be bitten by a tick any time of the year, more ticks are emerging as the weather warms. New Massachusetts guidelines require Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS, also known as the “red meat allergy”) cases to be reported to local boards of health; Cambridge has already received reports of residents with AGS. Learn more about tick bite prevention on the CPHD website.

Don’t Forget about Spring Vaccines! Adults aged 65 years and older should receive two doses of a 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine, with the second dose administered 6 months after the first. This recommendation from the MA Department of Public Health also applies to people with moderate to severe immunocompromise. For many people who received their first COVID-19 shot this season in the fall, it’s time for the second dose to maintain protection against waning immunity.