The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) reported Friday that measles has been detected in a local wastewater sample collected from the Theresa Street Water Resource Recovery Facility.
LLCHD has been testing samples in Lincoln for measles since May 2025, through a wastewater testing company WastewaterSCAN. Lancaster County is the only health department jurisdiction in the state testing wastewater for measles and this is the first time measles was detected in any Lincoln sample.
In a statement, Health Director Kerry Kernen emphasized that there have been no cases of measles reported in Lancaster County at this time.
“What we know is that measles was present in our wastewater. But, the detection doesn’t tell us whether the virus came from a local resident or a person traveling through the community,” said Kernen.
This detection follows four measles cases being reported in Platte County in late 2025 and early 2026.
Kernen said this finding serves as a reminder for residents to check their measles vaccination status and ensure you’re current on your measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Measles is a disease that can spread very quickly and make some people severely ill. Vaccination is the most effective way to avoid getting measles.
Those most at risk of getting measles are people who have had no doses of MMR vaccine or who have not had the measles. Any adult or child who is unvaccinated and exposed to a positive measles case will need to stay home for 21 days. Most people receive MMR vaccine as a child. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends children receive two doses of the vaccine. The first dose is recommended at age 12 to 15 months and the second dose at age 4 to 6 years.
Studies show that two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective against measles and that protection is long lasting. One dose of MMR vaccine is about 93% effective. A person also has a high level of protection against measles if they were born before 1957, which was prior to the vaccine when most people had measles as children and developed immunity.
Residents can review vaccination records in the Nebraska State Immunization Information System or contact their health care provider if they have questions. If residents cannot locate vaccination records or only have one dose of the MMR vaccine, talk to a provider or pharmacist about next steps. Remember it’s safe and effective to get vaccinated, even if you were vaccinated in the past.
Measles is spread through the air by breathing, coughing or sneezing. It starts with a fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and sore throat and is followed by a rash that usually appears on the face and then spreads downward over the body. It can also cause severe complications like pneumonia and encephalitis.
If you think you have measles, isolate yourself from others and call your health care provider, urgent care or nearest emergency room before arriving to be tested. Do not arrive at a healthcare facility without giving advance notice.
If you think you have been in contact with someone who has measles, contact the LLCHD Communicable Disease program at 402-441-8053.
Residents can monitor local wastewater data on the WastewaterSCAN dashboard at data.wastewaterscan.org. For more information about wastewater testing is available at cdc.gov/nwss.