Measles has been confirmed in a Los Angeles County resident who recently returned from Texas, where an outbreak of the highly infectious disease is ongoing. The outbreak in Texas has claimed two lives and is linked to low vaccination rates in certain communities.
This is the third measles case reported by the L.A. County Department of Public Health so far this year. The county’s health agency said the traveler was not infectious during the time of travel, reducing the risk of transmission to others.
Symptoms of measles include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that typically starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Measles spreads easily through the air and can remain airborne for hours.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 884 measles cases nationwide this year, the second-highest annual case count in 25 years. Los Angeles County has its first confirmed case of measles, with a median patient age of 8 and one-third of those infected being younger than 5.
Experts say having two doses of the measles vaccine is 97% effective against infection. The CDC identified 10 measles outbreaks nationwide, including ones linked to close-knit communities in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Public health officials aim for a 95% measles vaccination rate to prevent outbreaks.
As part of their efforts to combat misinformation about vaccines, pediatricians have stepped up their campaigns against anti-vaccine advocates. The American Academy of Pediatrics stated that the MMR vaccine is safe and effective in reducing the risk of contracting measles, which can lead to severe complications and death.
Health officials are working to identify people who may have been exposed to the virus while the infected person was contagious.
Source: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-04-25/measles-confirmed-in-l-a-county-resident-who-recently-returned-from-texas