11-month-old girl is first measles case in a pre-school in Singapore since measures stepped up

SINGAPORE – An 11-month-old girl attending pre-school is the latest reported case of measles in the country, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said.

This is the fifth measles case involving an infant below 12 months old in 2026, and the first case involving a child attending pre-school since

CDA stepped up measures

to better contain and manage measles infection.

CDA said it was notified of the confirmed measles case on Feb 17. This brings the country’s total count in 2026 to 15 as at Feb 23, surpassing the 11 cases in 2024.

The girl was not yet due for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination, CDA said in a statement on Feb 24.

Based on the current National Childhood Immunisation Schedule, infants are given a first dose of the vaccine at 12 months, and a second dose at 15 months.

The girl has no known recent travel or contact history and is recovering well.

She was in school during her infectious period, and parents whose children had been in close contact with her have been notified by the pre-school, it said.

All except four of the identified close contacts were up to date with their measles vaccination or were in the process of being vaccinated against measles, and no quarantine orders were issued to them.

The remaining four were issued quarantine orders, and once vaccinated or given post-exposure treatment, their quarantine orders were rescinded, CDA said.

“We have advised identified vaccinated close contacts to monitor their health and seek medical care if symptoms develop,” it added.

“Casual, non-close contacts will also be advised to check their vaccination status, monitor their health and seek medical care if symptoms develop.”

The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) said that it is aware of the case and is working with the CDA and pre-school operator to ensure the well-being of the remaining enrolled children and staff. 

It has also reminded the operator to ensure compliance with infection prevention and control measures, it said in a statement.

All pre-schools have to comply with the health and hygiene requirements stipulated in the Early Childhood Development Centres Regulations and Code of Practice, the agency noted.

These include ensuring that all enrolled children are immunised against measles in accordance with the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule.

For staff deployed to work in pre-schools, operators must verify each staff member’s documentary proof of measles vaccination or immunity prior to employment.

Professor Paul Tambyah, past president of the Asia Pacific Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infection, told The Straits Times that with many babies under one year old gathered in a pre-school, the chances of being infected with measles are low but not zero, “as there are likely to be a small number of individuals who are not immune to measles”.

“These babies would be vulnerable as the immunity they have derived from their mothers would have waned by six months of age.

“Fortunately, with low community circulation of measles, the risk of infection in these infants remains low,” he said.

The measles virus is spread through air droplets and direct contact with nasal and throat secretions. Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat and rashes.

There is no specific treatment, and most people recover in two to three weeks.

However, measles

can lead to serious complications

, including pneumonia and encephalitis – inflammation of the brain – especially in children below five years old.

Vaccination is the

best way to prevent measles infection

, said the CDA, adding that the MMR vaccine is highly effective and safe, and confers long-term immunity after completion of the recommended doses.

High vaccination coverage not only protects individuals but also creates herd immunity within the Singapore population that protects those who are unable to receive vaccination, such as infants under 12 months and severely immunocompromised individuals, it pointed out.

Most recorded cases in 2026 involved individuals who were not fully vaccinated. Completing two doses of the MMR vaccination will confer up to 97 per cent immunity against measles.

Infectious diseases expert Leong Hoe Nam told ST that measles immunity has been very robust after a live infection.

“The measles virus certainly does not mutate (and) the structural proteins are intolerant to changes, and when there are too many changes, it is rendered less effective, or poorly infectious,” he added.

Singapore has enhanced precautionary measures since Feb 6 to prevent the spread of measles within the community following the increase in cases here.

The moves include mandatory isolation of people with confirmed measles infection until they are no longer infectious – typically four days after the onset of a rash, according to CDA.

Contact tracing will also be conducted for all infected cases, and close contacts have to be either vaccinated or quarantined for up to 21 days.

According to the ECDA, as part of regular health surveillance protocols, pre-schools conduct daily temperature and health checks for all children, staff and visitors upon arrival.

Anyone who is unwell or displays symptoms of an infectious disease cannot be admitted to a pre-school.

If a child develops symptoms while at the pre-school, the child will be cared for in a sick bay away from other children, and the parents will be asked to take the child home. Staff who are unwell should take medical leave and not be at work, said the agency.

ECDA added that it will continue to work closely with pre-schools and the relevant agencies to safeguard the health and well-being of the children and staff.