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Measles cases on the rise in California
measles
This is the skin of a patient after 3 days of measles infection; treated at a New York hospital. Prior to widespread immunization, measles was common in childhood, with more than 90 percent of infants and children infected by age 12. Recently, fewer than 1,000 measles cases have been reported annually since 1993. - photo by Photo courtesy of CDC

The number of Californians sickened with the measles continues to grow and more cases are reported to health officials.

The California Department of Public Health has received reports of 49 confirmed measles cases in California residents so far this year. This time last year, only four measles cases had been reported. The measles cases have been reported in: Alameda (1), Contra Costa (4), Los Angeles (10) Orange (21), Riverside (5), San Diego (4), San Mateo (3) and Santa Clara (1) counties.

Among these 49 cases, 11 patients had travelled outside of North or South America, including to parts of the world where outbreaks are actively occurring or where measles is widespread. The Philippines is currently experiencing an outbreak of measles and in India measles in endemic.  Of the patients without international travel, 30 had contact with known measles cases, three had contact with international travelers and five are under investigation to identify potential sources.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that is spread through the air through a cough or a sneeze by someone who is ill with the disease. Symptoms begin with a fever that lasts for a couple of days, followed by a cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes and rash. The rash typically appears first on the face, along the hairline, and behind the ears and then affects the rest of the body. Complications can include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. In severe cases death can occur. Infants, pregnant women and people with impaired immune systems are more susceptible to complications from measles. 

Infected people are usually contagious for about eight days — four days before their rash starts and four days after. Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, 90 percent of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected with the measles virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The virus can live on infected surfaces for up to two hours.

High immunization rates in California have kept preventable childhood diseases, such as measles, at record lows during the past 20 years. Since 2000, when measles was declared eliminated in the United States, the number of cases in California each year has ranged from four to 40 cases. In that time, almost all measles cases in the United States have been linked to travel to parts of the world where measles still circulates.

This dramatic jump in the number of measles cases is a reminder to get fully vaccinated,” says Dr. Ron Chapman, CDPH director and state health officer. “Being fully vaccinated against measles does more than just protect the person who receives the vaccination — it also protects their family and friends, including children who may be too young to be vaccinated.” 

Children are recommended to get their first dose of MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine at 12 to 15 months. The second dose of MMR is usually administered before children start kindergarten at 4 to 6 years. Immunized adults do not need boosters. However, anyone born since 1957 who has not had two doses of vaccine may still be vulnerable to measles and should ask their doctor about getting immunized, especially if they are traveling overseas.

Unvaccinated Californians who are traveling outside of North or South America should receive MMR vaccine before they go. Infants who are traveling can be vaccinated as young as six months of age, though they should also have the two standard doses of MMR vaccine after their first birthday, the CDPH recommends.