FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY
Measles Re-emergence and How it Becomes Deadly
WHAT:
Pathologists are essential in detecting and diagnosing measles, collaborating with healthcare teams to identify infections and support patient care during outbreaks. Amid a nationwide surge in measles cases, a Maryland resident from Howard County recently tested positive for measles after returning from international travel. Potential exposure sites include Washington Dulles International Airport and Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center Pediatric Emergency. Pathologists and clinical laboratories are at the forefront, ensuring rapid and accurate diagnoses to inform public health responses. Leading pathologists from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) will brief the media on the challenges of measles testing, factors driving the outbreak, and why measles can be deadly for some patients.
WHEN:
Thursday, March 13, 2025
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET (10:00 – 11:00 AM CT)
WHO:
Donald Karcher, MD, FCAP, President, College of American Pathologists, Professor and Immediate Past Chair, Department of Pathology, at the George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, DC
Bobbi Pritt, MD, MSc, FCAP, Chair, CAP Council on Scientific Affairs, Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Chair of Clinical Microbiology, Mayo Clinic
Ben Bradley, MD, PhD, FCAP, Member, CAP Microbiology Committee, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Pathology, University of Utah and Medical Director, Virology, ARUP Laboratories
WHY:
The United States is experiencing a significant measles outbreak, with 222 cases reported across 12 jurisdictions as of March 6, 2025. Notably, a recent case was confirmed in a Maryland resident who had traveled internationally, marking the state's first case since 2024. This case is not linked to the outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico. This outbreak has resulted in 23 hospitalizations and the first measles-related death in the U.S. in over a decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expects cases to continue rising.
HOW TO JOIN:
Journalists: to register, please email: media@cap.org
CONTACT:
For more information, please contact:
Angela Panateri
Manager, Media Relations
apanate@cap.org
847-832-7224
Abby Watson
Manager, Media Relations
awatson@cap.org
847-832-7513