The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging summer camp operators to require proof of measles immunity through vaccination or prior infection for all children, staff, and volunteers as measles outbreaks near record levels.
“Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes,” the organization wrote in its new guidance. “If one person has measles, up to 9 in 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected.”
The agency says tracking measles immunity status is necessary to help health departments quickly identify people who need to be vaccinated or offered antibody injections if there is an outbreak within a camp. The American Camp Association also issued measles guidance, urging camps that allow unvaccinated campers and staff to ensure they understand the risks of doing so.
RELATED: Measles Outbreak Spurs Dramatic Surge in Infant Vaccinations in Texas
In addition to requiring immunity documentation, the CDC urges summer camps to prepare for measles before camp begins by:
- Knowing how to contact the local health department for assistance when measles is suspected
- Reviewing applicable state or local laws and regulations on public health-related camp requirements
- Communicating applicable state, local, and/or camp vaccine requirements to campers, staff, and volunteers
- Making sure your camp has a supply of facemasks to give to a person with measles symptoms
- Identifying an isolation space where a camper with measles symptoms can wait for a caregiver to pick them up
- Reminding staff and caregivers that people should stay home when they are sick
- Being watchful for campers, staff, and volunteers who may come to camp with fever and other signs and symptoms of measles
The guidance also includes immediate steps to take when measles is suspected and what to do after the individual(s) has been isolated.
RELATED: Poll Shows Widespread Misinformation About Measles and Vaccines Among U.S. Adults
The recommendations come as measles cases have climbed to 1,197 infections so far in 2025 — less than 100 cases away from beating the record 1,274 confirmed cases for all of 2019, CBS News reports. This year’s outbreak, however, has been deadlier than the 2019 outbreak, which experts believe is due to missed infections that have gone unreported.
Approximately two in three confirmed measles cases this year have been in children or teens.
Summer Camps on School Campuses
Many schools, both K-12 and higher ed, host summer youth programs on their campuses. Regarding compliance and safety, many institutions have youth protection policies that camps must follow. These policies typically mandate that camp staff pass a background check and complete training related to recognizing and reporting signs of minor abuse prior to beginning work at a camp.
For higher ed campuses hosting youth camps, Clery Act requirements still apply. Check out this article for tips on CSAs, timely warnings, and mass notification that will help your youth summer camps comply with the Clery Act.
This helpful article also covers five safety strategies colleges and universities should adopt throughout the year if they host youth programs on campus.
