The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has confirmed a case of measles in a resident who recently traveled internationally. This is the first confirmed case of measles in 2026 among Los Angeles County residents or visitors.

There are no identified public exposure locations in Los Angeles County outside of a healthcare setting at this time. Affected healthcare facilities are directly notifying patients and staff who may have been exposed. Public Health is also identifying others who may have had contact with the case and verifying their measles vaccination status.

With measles outbreaks happening both in the United States and internationally, this case underscores the importance being fully protected before traveling. The most effective way to protect yourself and your family is with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Public Health strongly encourages everyone to ensure they are fully protected against measles, which for children 12 months and older means having two doses of the MMR vaccine. Infants who are older than 6 months and are traveling internationally or to areas with ongoing measles outbreaks can get 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 Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer. “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 encourages everyone to:

• Check your immunization status. Review your immunization and medical records to determine if everyone in your family is protected against measles. People are considered protected if they have had measles in the past or have received the recommended MMR vaccine. This is especially important for anyone 6 months of age and older who will be traveling internationally or domestically in areas experiencing measles outbreaks. Anyone who is not protected should talk with a health care provider about receiving the MMR immunization.
• Notify a healthcare provider if you are at higher risk. Contact and notify your health care provider as soon as possible about a potential exposure for guidance and next steps, especially if you are pregnant, the person exposed is an infant, you have a weakened immune system and/or are unimmunized.
• Watch for symptoms and take immediate action. If symptoms develop, such as fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, or a rash, stay at home and avoid school, work, and any gatherings. Call a healthcare provider immediately. Do not go into a health care facility without calling them first. Let them know you may have been exposed to measles and describe your symptoms. Public Health can assist health care providers in appropriately diagnosing and managing your care.

About Measles

Measles spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can stay in the air and on surfaces for many hours, even after the infected person has left. The infected person can spread the disease up to four days before a measles rash appears and up to four days after the rash appears. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected.

Common symptoms include:

• Fever (higher than 101° F)
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red and watery eyes
• Rash 3-5 days after other signs of illness. The “measles rash” typically starts at the face and then spreads down to the rest of the body.

Measles can be prevented with a measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR or MMRV). The MMR vaccine protects against three diseases: measles, mumps and rubella. The MMRV vaccine protects against four diseases: measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox). They are administered in two doses and are highly effective: two doses are 97% effective against measles and one dose is 93% effective. The spread of measles can be prevented if 2-dose coverage of vaccine remains at 95% or above in the community. For more information on measles, visit: ph.lacounty.gov/measles.

Most health insurances cover the cost of the MMR and MMRV vaccine. Insured persons should check with their doctor or local pharmacy to see what vaccines are offered. Uninsured or underinsured children and adults can access free or low-cost vaccines at clinics enrolled in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) and Vaccines for Adults (VFA) program. For a list of clinics that offer free or low-cost immunizations for persons who are uninsured or underinsured, call 2-1-1 or visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/ip/clinics.htm.

In the United States, as of January 30, a total of 588 measles cases have been reported this year, which is the highest number of measles cases in January since the United States achieved elimination status in 2000. Most of these cases are linked to an ongoing measles outbreak in South Carolina and one outbreak involving Arizona/Utah. The majority of cases are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status. Three percent of these cases required hospitalization for management of measles complications or isolation. The last case of measles in a Los Angeles County resident was reported in August 2025.