Measles
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It is widespread in many parts of the world, including Europe, Africa, and Asia. Measles begins with a fever that lasts for a couple of days, followed by a cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and a rash. The rash typically appears first on the face, along the hairline, and behind the ears and then affects the rest of the body. Infected people are usually contagious from about 4 days before their rash starts to 4 days afterwards. Children routinely get their first dose of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine at 12 months old or later. The second dose of MMR is usually administered before the child begins kindergarten but may be given one month or more after the first dose.
Students (including college students), health care workers, and 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).
Individuals getting ready to travel abroad can find helpful information about travel vaccines in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
For routine measles surveillance data, please see the Vaccine Preventable Disease Annual Report.
California is currently experiencing an outbreak of measles associated with Disneyland in Orange County, California. Cases with travel to Disneyland report visiting the park from December 17th-December 20th, 2014. The incubation period for anyone exposed at Disneyland on these dates ended on January 10th, 2015. We can expect some limited local transmission associated with reported cases.
California Measles Outbreak-Associated Cases by Local Health Jurisdiction
|
Local Health Jurisdiction |
Outbreak-Associated Cases |
|
Alameda |
3 |
|
Los Angeles |
1 |
|
Long Beach |
1 |
|
Orange |
9 |
|
Pasadena |
1 |
|
Riverside |
2 |
|
San Bernardino |
2 |
|
San Diego |
2 |
|
Ventura |
1 |
|
Total |
22 |
How Well-Vaccinated Is Your Child's Child Care Facility/School?
Child care facilities with low vaccination rates are at increased risk for outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. Some children are allowed by California law to skip immunizations if a parent submits a personal beliefs exemption (PBE) or medical exemption (PME) at enrollment. Other children, may be admitted to child care on the 'condition' they complete remaining vaccinations when due. Often there is no follow-up and these children remain under-vaccinated. To lookup vaccination rates at your child care/ school, click below:
Child Care/Preschool | Kindergarten | 7th Grade