California public health officials are closely monitoring two residents who recently tested positive for measles, amid ongoing outbreaks in Texas, New Mexico, and abroad. The Los Angeles and Fresno public health departments have confirmed cases, with both individuals having traveled internationally.
To date, the California Department of Public Health has reported a total of five cases, all of which were acquired through international travel. Nationally, over 250 cases have been confirmed, primarily in West Texas. Measles is highly contagious and officials stress the importance of vaccination, particularly for those planning international travel.
The best protection against measles is getting two doses of the MMR vaccine, with most California school-aged children already vaccinated at a rate of 97%. Officials are urging people to check their vaccination status, especially if they plan to travel abroad this spring or summer. Measles can be severe in infants who have not received their first dose of the MMR vaccine until around 12-15 months of age.
Experts warn that measles is highly contagious and putting unvaccinated individuals at high risk. Health officials are working to notify people who may have been exposed to the virus, particularly those on flights that brought the infected individuals to Los Angeles or Fresno.
Source: https://calmatters.org/newsletter/california-measles-cases