{"id":14772,"date":"2026-07-23T16:05:29","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T11:05:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=14772"},"modified":"2026-07-23T16:05:29","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T11:05:29","slug":"measles-surge-dramatically-in-california-among-children-and-young-adults","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=14772","title":{"rendered":"Measles surge dramatically in California among children and young adults"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-element=\"story-body\" data-subscriber-content=\"\">\n<p>Measles cases have doubled in California so far this year compared to last year \u2014 and 2026 is barely half over.<\/p>\n<p>California has confirmed 52 measles cases in the first 6\u00bd months of the year; that\u2019s more than double the 25 cases reported in all of 2025. If this pace continues, the number of cases will pass California\u2019s high from 2015, when there were 125 cases in the state and a portion of them were related to a <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/local\/orangecounty\/la-me-disneyland-measles-20150114-story.html\">large outbreak at Disneyland<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Of this year\u2019s 52 cases, 49 patients were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination record. Four have had to be hospitalized. Many cases involve children or young adults \u2014 27 cases involved those ages 5 to 19, and 15 cases involved children under 5 years old, according to the California Department of Public Health. L.A. County has tallied seven cases so far this year among its residents. <\/p>\n<p>Nationally, measles cases have nearly eclipsed last year\u2019s total already and the country is poised to hit its highest case level since the late 1980s and early \u201990s. As of mid-July, 2,260 measles cases were reported, compared to 2,289 in all of last year. Last year\u2019s tally was the highest in a single year since the devastating 1989-91 measles epidemic, which resulted in more than 55,000 cases and 166 suspected deaths. <\/p>\n<p>The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 93% of confirmed measles cases are associated with outbreaks. There have been 34 new outbreaks reported so far this year. <\/p>\n<p><a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/california\/story\/2026-07-08\/seventh-measles-case-in-la-county-this-year-identified-as-international-traveler-at-lax\">New measles cases continue <\/a>to be reported across California at a regular clip, putting unvaccinated people \u2014 including babies too young to have received their first immunization \u2014 at risk of severe illness and potentially death. <\/p>\n<p>The latest case involved a juvenile who had been living abroad and now lives in Orange County; the child was contagious with measles while passing through Los Angeles International Airport, officials said. <\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">  <ps-interactive-project class=\"interactive-project block\" data-use-responsive-height=\"true\" data-module-id=\"0000019f-88f9-d8d1-afbf-effb5da70005\">\n<div data-wc-src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/aiuCe\/embed.js?v=2\" style=\"min-height:523px;\">     <noscript><picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/7591ffd\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1046+0+0\/resize\/320x485!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5d%2F3f%2F5d8b010640cd97603e15af8315f4%2F4c5c6dafcd5e49c4b7c88e9b073401b9 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/085d33f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1046+0+0\/resize\/568x861!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5d%2F3f%2F5d8b010640cd97603e15af8315f4%2F4c5c6dafcd5e49c4b7c88e9b073401b9 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/1bde922\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1046+0+0\/resize\/768x1164!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5d%2F3f%2F5d8b010640cd97603e15af8315f4%2F4c5c6dafcd5e49c4b7c88e9b073401b9 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/43eeedd\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1046+0+0\/resize\/1024x1552!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5d%2F3f%2F5d8b010640cd97603e15af8315f4%2F4c5c6dafcd5e49c4b7c88e9b073401b9 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/32084cd\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1046+0+0\/resize\/1200x1819!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5d%2F3f%2F5d8b010640cd97603e15af8315f4%2F4c5c6dafcd5e49c4b7c88e9b073401b9 1200w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"Chart shows 50 measles cases in California in the first 7.5 months of 2026. That's the highest number of cases in a single calendar year since 2019, when there were 73 cases. The only two years higher than that are in 2014, when 75 cases were reported, and in 2015, when 124 cases were reported. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/12ca907\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1046+0+0\/resize\/320x485!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5d%2F3f%2F5d8b010640cd97603e15af8315f4%2F4c5c6dafcd5e49c4b7c88e9b073401b9 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/82ae116\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1046+0+0\/resize\/568x861!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5d%2F3f%2F5d8b010640cd97603e15af8315f4%2F4c5c6dafcd5e49c4b7c88e9b073401b9 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/24dff40\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1046+0+0\/resize\/768x1164!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5d%2F3f%2F5d8b010640cd97603e15af8315f4%2F4c5c6dafcd5e49c4b7c88e9b073401b9 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/f1fb588\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1046+0+0\/resize\/1024x1552!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5d%2F3f%2F5d8b010640cd97603e15af8315f4%2F4c5c6dafcd5e49c4b7c88e9b073401b9 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/cce96da\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1046+0+0\/resize\/1200x1819!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5d%2F3f%2F5d8b010640cd97603e15af8315f4%2F4c5c6dafcd5e49c4b7c88e9b073401b9 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1819\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/cce96da\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1046+0+0\/resize\/1200x1819!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5d%2F3f%2F5d8b010640cd97603e15af8315f4%2F4c5c6dafcd5e49c4b7c88e9b073401b9\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture> <\/noscript> <\/div>\n<\/ps-interactive-project>    <\/div>\n<p>The juvenile arrived on a flight from Canc\u00fan, Mexico, on Delta Air Lines Flight 614 on July 16 at 9:45 p.m., the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said. Mexico is among the top 10 countries worldwide with measles outbreaks, according to the<a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/global-measles-vaccination\/data-research\/global-measles-outbreaks\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\"> World Health Organization<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>People who might have been exposed to the infectious passenger included those who were in the international terminal, around Gate 206, about an hour after the flight\u2019s arrival, and around the flight\u2019s baggage claim area between 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. <\/p>\n<p>Passengers who sat near the infected passenger, as well as people exposed to the person in a healthcare setting, will be contacted about their exposures, officials with the Los Angeles County and Orange County public health departments said. People are at risk of developing measles from seven to 21 days after their exposure; the last day to monitor for symptoms is Aug. 6. <\/p>\n<p>People who aren\u2019t immunized are at a higher risk to contract measles and should monitor their symptoms, officials said. Those who have been immunized, or have been previously infected, are probably protected against infection \u201cbut should still monitor for symptoms,\u201d the L.A. County Department of Public Health said. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs measles cases increase, it is important that residents take steps to make sure they are fully protected. The MMR vaccine is the safest and most reliable way to prevent measles and protect yourself, your family, and your community,\u201d said Dr. Muntu Davis, the L.A. County health officer, in a statement. \u201cMeasles spreads easily and can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">  <ps-interactive-project class=\"interactive-project block\" data-use-responsive-height=\"true\" data-module-id=\"0000019f-8b3f-d315-a99f-bfbfb1420005\">\n<div data-wc-src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/Y6UqL\/embed.js?v=3\" style=\"min-height:503px;\">     <noscript><picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/7c72530\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1006+0+0\/resize\/320x467!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F80%2F9d%2F6930a7894f7d963add043193151f%2Fa5f57b57eeec4f6a843ad57598b97f51 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/f0c22f0\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1006+0+0\/resize\/568x828!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F80%2F9d%2F6930a7894f7d963add043193151f%2Fa5f57b57eeec4f6a843ad57598b97f51 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/75f455c\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1006+0+0\/resize\/768x1120!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F80%2F9d%2F6930a7894f7d963add043193151f%2Fa5f57b57eeec4f6a843ad57598b97f51 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/86e7ade\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1006+0+0\/resize\/1024x1493!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F80%2F9d%2F6930a7894f7d963add043193151f%2Fa5f57b57eeec4f6a843ad57598b97f51 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/cf75eb0\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1006+0+0\/resize\/1200x1750!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F80%2F9d%2F6930a7894f7d963add043193151f%2Fa5f57b57eeec4f6a843ad57598b97f51 1200w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"Chart shows more than 2,000 measles cases so far in 2026 \u2014 surpassing 2025 and on pace to show the highest number since 1992. The height of the 1989-1991 outbreak saw 27,800 cases in a single year.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/ed47a9d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1006+0+0\/resize\/320x467!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F80%2F9d%2F6930a7894f7d963add043193151f%2Fa5f57b57eeec4f6a843ad57598b97f51 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/bf99bb3\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1006+0+0\/resize\/568x828!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F80%2F9d%2F6930a7894f7d963add043193151f%2Fa5f57b57eeec4f6a843ad57598b97f51 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/6bf4113\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1006+0+0\/resize\/768x1120!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F80%2F9d%2F6930a7894f7d963add043193151f%2Fa5f57b57eeec4f6a843ad57598b97f51 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/fd38fbf\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1006+0+0\/resize\/1024x1493!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F80%2F9d%2F6930a7894f7d963add043193151f%2Fa5f57b57eeec4f6a843ad57598b97f51 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/beda46f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1006+0+0\/resize\/1200x1750!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F80%2F9d%2F6930a7894f7d963add043193151f%2Fa5f57b57eeec4f6a843ad57598b97f51 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1750\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/beda46f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1006+0+0\/resize\/1200x1750!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F80%2F9d%2F6930a7894f7d963add043193151f%2Fa5f57b57eeec4f6a843ad57598b97f51\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture> <\/noscript> <\/div>\n<\/ps-interactive-project>    <\/div>\n<p>Another infectious traveler passed through LAX while infected with measles earlier this month. The traveler arrived on British Airways flight 281, from London, at Gate 155 in the international terminal July 3. People at that gate between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. may have been exposed to measles, as well as people at aboard the Hertz car rental shuttle between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.<\/p>\n<p>There have been at least two infants who have contracted measles so far this year in California \u2014 both of whom traveled internationally before falling ill. One case was reported in San Francisco, and the other in Orange County. The infants were probably exposed to measles \u201cduring international travel, whether in airports, airplanes or otherwise while abroad,\u201d the state Department of Public Health told The Times. \u201cSome but not all of them visited an area with a known measles outbreak.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Since 2020, the state Department of Public Health has received 11 reports of infants under 1 year of age with measles. Among those, eight had traveled internationally and one traveled to another state where there was a measles outbreak. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cInfants less than 1 year old can contract measles, especially during travel,\u201d the L.A. County Department of Public Health said. <\/p>\n<p>The other two cases involved infants who had not traveled before getting the virus.<\/p>\n<p>Los Angeles County health officials advise that infants age 6 to 11 months who will be traveling internationally, or domestically to areas with measles outbreaks, get the measles vaccine early, which is routinely given after a child turns 1, and then again between the ages of 4 and 6. Infants who get that early dose should still get two additional doses, officials said. <\/p>\n<p>California health officials also recommend that those age 1 to 3 get their second measles vaccine dose early if they\u2019re going to travel internationally. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cParents can consider several factors when deciding about travel, including whether measles is circulating at their destination, the potential for exposure during travel, and whether their child is eligible for an early MMR dose,\u201d the California Department of Public Health told The Times. \u201cTalking with the child\u2019s pediatrician can help families weigh these considerations and choose what makes the most sense for their situation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>If parents do decide to give their babies a vaccine to protect against measles, they should try to get the injection at least two weeks before travel. <\/p>\n<p>When the measles <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thelancet.com\/journals\/laninf\/article\/PIIS1473-3099(19)30395-0\/fulltext\" target=\"_blank\">vaccine<\/a> is given at 6 months of age, 76% developed protective antibodies against measles, and when given at 8 to 9 months, 85% developed antibodies, according to UC San Francisco infectious diseases expert Dr. Peter Chin-Hong. \u201cThis is in contrast to infants 12 months and older, where more than 95% develop protective antibodies.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMeasles doesn\u2019t only affect people who travel or live internationally\u2014everyone is at risk if they\u2019re not protected,\u201d said Dr. Anissa Davis, a deputy county health officer in Orange County. \u201cBecause measles is highly contagious, it can spread quickly within communities, even among those who haven\u2019t traveled. The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get vaccinated before exposure occurs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Health officials are encouraging parents to plan now for updating their kids\u2019 vaccines, with the new school year only a few weeks away. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe rise in measles cases nationally is a reminder that we cannot let our guard down against serious and highly contagious diseases,\u201d said Dr. Susan Philip, the San Francisco health officer, in a statement. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Measles cases have doubled in California so far this year compared to last year \u2014 and 2026 is barely half over. California has confirmed 52 measles cases in the first 6\u00bd months of the year; that\u2019s more than double the 25 cases reported in all of 2025. If this pace continues, the number of cases&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14773,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/0a654b2\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2400x1260+0+170\/resize\/1200x630!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe2%2F13%2Fa4046caa49739ce2f60b49aab974%2F937496-fi-0329-delta-lax-006-ik.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14772","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-hub"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14772","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14772"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14772\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14773"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14772"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14772"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14772"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}