Bay Area Health Officials Urge Measles Vaccination, Awareness

BAY AREA, CA—Health officials from 12 Bay Area counties —Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Napa, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Solano and Sonoma—and the city of Berkeley sent a joint message Friday urging the public to make sure they are vaccinated against the measles.

With measles cases on the rise across the country, the Association of Bay Area Health Officials strongly encouraged residents to make sure they are fully vaccinated against the highly contagious —and sometimes deadly —virus.

As of Friday, there have been 300 measles cases reported in the United States, including a large outbreak among primarily unvaccinated children in Texas and nearby states. At this time, there have been two deaths— the first measles-related deaths in the nation since 2015.

In California, there were five reported measles cases as of early this week. The cases were all separately reported after international travel, and there was no evidence they were connected to the Texas outbreak. Just yesterday, it was reported that California had two cases, in Los Angeles and Fresno counties. The locations of the three new cases are not immediately available.

Measles Symptoms; How It Spreads

When a person infected with measles breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes, the virus easily spreads through the air and can linger in indoors for several hours.

Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis—pink eye —followed 2-4 days later by a rash.

Those at the greatest risk are children under 5, adults over 20 and those who are pregnant, and people with compromised immune systems.

The Vaccine

One dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella —MMR—vaccine is 93 percent effective against measles, and two doses are 97 percent effective, according to health officials. People born between 1957 and 1969 are likely to have received only one dose and should consider getting a second dose, health officials said.

Health officials strongly recommended the MMR vaccine for children 12-15 months, with a second dose administered between ages 4 and 6. Children can receive the second dose of MMR vaccine earlier than 4-6 years, as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose. Infants 6-12 months can start vaccination early before international travel or travel to an outbreak area.

Residents unsure if they are fully vaccinated can check with their health care provider or access their digital medical record through the California Department of Public Health website. Providers can check whether a person is immune by doing a blood test.

Teenagers and adults with no evidence of immunity should be vaccinated right away, health officials said.

Global Measles Travel Health Notice

The risk of exposure to measles in the Bay Area is currently low, local health officials said. However, residents were encouraged to familiarize themselves with the signs and symptoms of measles, especially after travel or exposure.

With three major airports in the Bay Area, there is an increased potential for exposure to the virus. Health officials said anyone with travel plans who is not vaccinated against measles is at increased risk of getting infected.

Travelers can check their destination and the CDC Global Measles Travel Health Notice for information about where measles outbreaks have been reported. The CDC offers accelerated vaccination guidelines for children and adults who plan to travel internationally.