Measles Cases Rise in California as Santa Barbara Confirms First Case Since 2019

Officials say imported cases plus low MMR coverage raise the chance of wider outbreaks as students return to school.

Overview

State health data show an uptick this year with 52 measles cases reported in California through early August, roughly double last year’s total.
Santa Barbara County announced a confirmed case tied to recent international travel, and other counties including Ventura, Kern and Los Angeles have reported new cases this season.
Measles typically begins with high fever and the “three Cs” — cough, coryza (runny nose) and conjunctivitis — followed days later by a rash that starts at the hairline and spreads.
Local health departments are isolating confirmed cases, investigating exposures, advising people to call providers before visiting clinics, and urging immediate MMR vaccination for those not up to date.
Public-health officials warn that low community vaccination rates leave infants, unvaccinated children, pregnant people and immunocompromised individuals at greatest risk and could fuel school-based spread.