A person with Measles (Photo – rush.edu)
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has confirmed a case of measles in a county resident who recently traveled internationally. This is the first confirmed measles case reported in Los Angeles County in 2026 among residents or visitors.
By News Desk
Health officials said there are currently no identified public exposure locations in Los Angeles County outside of a healthcare setting. Affected healthcare facilities are directly notifying patients and staff who may have been exposed. Public Health is also working to identify other potential contacts and verify their measles vaccination status.
The confirmed case comes amid ongoing measles outbreaks in the United States and abroad, highlighting the importance of being fully vaccinated before traveling. Public Health officials emphasized that the most effective protection against measles is the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Children 12 months of age and older are considered fully protected with two doses of the MMR vaccine. Infants older than six months who are traveling internationally or to areas with active measles outbreaks may receive an early dose.
“Measles is a serious respiratory disease that spreads easily through the air and on surfaces, particularly among people who are not already protected from it,” said Los Angeles County Health Officer Muntu Davis, MD, MPH. “A person can spread the illness to others before they have symptoms, and it can take seven to twenty-one days for symptoms to show up after exposure. Measles can lead to severe disease in young children and vulnerable adults. As LA County residents begin to travel this summer and with measles cases increasing among those who have recently traveled, we remind everyone that the best way to protect yourself and your family from infection is with the highly effective measles vaccine.”
Public Health is urging residents to review their immunization and medical records to confirm protection against measles. Individuals are considered protected if they have had measles in the past or have received the recommended MMR vaccine. This is especially important for anyone six months of age and older who plans to travel internationally or to domestic areas experiencing measles outbreaks.
Health officials also advise people at higher risk, such as pregnant individuals, infants, those with weakened immune systems, or those who are unvaccinated, to notify a healthcare provider immediately if they believe they may have been exposed. Residents are encouraged to watch for symptoms, including fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and rash. Anyone who develops symptoms should stay home, avoid school, work, and gatherings, and call a healthcare provider before seeking in-person care.
Measles spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can remain in the air and on surfaces for hours, even after the infected person has left. Symptoms typically begin with fever and respiratory issues, followed by a rash that usually starts on the face and spreads downward across the body.
The disease can be prevented with the MMR or MMRV vaccines, which are administered in two doses and are highly effective. Two doses are about 97% effective against measles. Health officials note that community vaccination coverage of at least 95% is needed to prevent the spread of the virus.
Most health insurance plans cover the cost of the MMR and MMRV vaccines. Uninsured or underinsured individuals can access free or low-cost vaccines through clinics participating in the Vaccines for Children and Vaccines for Adults programs.
Nationally, a total of 588 measles cases have been reported in the United States as of January 30, the highest number reported in January since measles was declared eliminated in the country in 2000. Most cases are linked to outbreaks in South Carolina and the Arizona/Utah region, with the majority occurring among unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status. The last measles case reported in a Los Angeles County resident occurred in August 2025.
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