Measles Cases Spike In CA As Contagious Disease Resurges In U.S.

One of the world's most contagious diseases is on the rise in California. There have already been more confirmed measles cases this year in the Golden State than all of 2024, according to recently released data.

As of Monday, there have been 17 confirmed cases of measles so far this year among California residents, according to the California Department of Public Health. There were 15 cases in 2024 and four cases in 2023.

So far this year, measles cases have been confirmed in 10 counties across California: Fresno, Los Angeles, Orange, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Tuolumne and Yolo as well as in Long Beach, which operates its own public health department.

Case counts are up in California as the country faces one of its largest outbreaks of the disease in decades.

As of Tuesday, there have been 1,227 confirmed measles cases this year across the country, and most of those cases are related to outbreaks, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There have been three confirmed deaths from measles.

The total number of measles cases includes 1,088 cases related to measles outbreaks and 139 isolated cases, which are typically linked to international travel. There have been 23 outbreaks reported this year, and 89% of confirmed cases are linked to outbreaks, the CDC said.

Measles is highly contagious. If one person has the disease, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected, according to the CDC.

Health officials advise that measles is completely preventable. In fact, the disease was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000, which means measles has not spread continuously for at least 12 months.

"Measles is a serious respiratory disease that spreads easily through the air and on surfaces, particularly among people who are not already protected from it," Los Angeles County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis said earlier this year. "Measles can lead to severe disease in young children and vulnerable adults. The best way to protect yourself and your family from infection is with the highly effective measles vaccine."

The rise in preventable diseases like measles is linked to lower vaccination rates. Childhood vaccination rates have been falling in the U.S., especially since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Immunization rates for kindergarten students in California, however, remain higher than the national average, an annual report from the California Department of Public Health showed.

According to state public health officials, the 2023-2024 CDPH Kindergarten Immunization Assessment report showed that while measles outbreaks have occurred in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and internationally, the Golden State continues to report more than 95% measles, mumps and rubella — MMR — coverage among kindergartners. The state has maintained this level of vaccination — the level necessary to prevent community spread — for nearly a decade, state health officials said.

"California's immunization requirements for schools are helping protect children and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases," Dr. Erica Pan, director of the California Department of Public Health, said earlier this year. "With recent outbreaks of measles in other states, we can't stress enough how important it is to stay current with vaccinations. Sadly, the consequences of not getting vaccinated can result in severe illness and even death."

Measles spreads through droplets in the air when a person breathes, coughs or sneezes. The virus can linger in the air and on surfaces for hours.

Infants under 12 months are most at risk because they have not had their measles vaccine yet, according to public health officials. Children older than a year old who are not immunized and people with compromised or weakened immune systems are also at high risk.

About 1 out of every 1,000 measles cases in a child results in death, according to the CDC.

"The best way to prevent measles and protect your child from getting sick is with a vaccine," said Dr. Seema Shah, medical director of San Diego County's epidemiology and immunization services branch.

Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and fatigue. A red rash usually appears one to four days after symptoms begin, starting at the head and then spreading to the lower body.

There is no cure or treatment.

RELATED:

• This Infectious Disease Has Increased 1500% Nationwide
• CA Kindergarten Vaccination Rates Exceed National Level, Report Shows
• Measles Exposure Prompts Health Warning In Bay Area
• First Measles Case Confirmed In Riverside County In 7 Years
• Measles Case Confirmed In Los Angeles County
• County Health Officials Encourage Measles Vaccine Ahead Of Spring Break