The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on Friday was investigating, a case of measles in a county resident who recently travelled from Texas.
The individual was not infectious during the time of travel, according to Public Health. County health officials were working with their counterparts from the California and Texas health departments to identify others who may have been potentially exposed and attempting to confirm if they have received the measles vaccine.
In the United States as of Thursday, measles cases totaled 884 this year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most of the infections are connected with an ongoing measles outbreak in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Most cases have developed in people who are unvaccinated or don’t know their vaccination status.
Of the reported measles infections, three people have died and 11% required hospitalization to manage measles complications or for isolation.
The first 2025 measles case in LA County was reported in March.
People who have not had measles in the past and have not been vaccinated may develop the condition from seven to 21 days after exposure to the virus. Officials said exposed individuals should monitor for symptoms. Those who remain symptom-free for over 21 days are no longer at risk.
“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,” LA County Health Officer Muntu Davis said in a statement. “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. The best way to protect yourself and your family from infection is with the highly effective measle vaccine.”
County health officials advised all residents to review immunization and medical records to determine if they are protected against measles, especially before international or domestic travel in areas experiencing measles outbreaks. People who have not had measles infection or received measles immunization are not protected from the virus and should speak with a health care provider about receiving the measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR vaccine.
A potentially infected resident should contact and notify a health care provider as soon as possible if the person is pregnant, an infant, has a weakened immune system “and/or are unimmunized regardless of vaccination history,” according to the county health department.
“If symptoms develop, stay at home, and avoid school, work and any large gatherings,” Public Health advised. “Call a healthcare provider immediately. Do not enter a health care facility before calling them and making them aware of your measles exposure and symptoms. Public Health can assist health care providers in appropriately diagnosing and managing your care.”
Measles easily spreads through the air when a person carrying the virus breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes, officials said. The virus can remain in the air and on surfaces for many hours after an infected person has left the area. The infected individual can spread the virus up to four days before a measles rash develops and up to four days after the rash appears.
Transmission of the virus occurs if uninfected people breathe a contaminated air or touch a contaminated surface, then touch their eyes, noses or mouths.
Measles symptoms include high fever above 101 degrees, coughing, a runny nose, red and watery eyes and a rash three to five days after other signs of illness, officials said. The measles rash usually starts appearing on the face and spreads downward.
In addition to the MMR vaccine, the MMRV vaccine protects against four diseases — measles, mumps, rubella and varicella, or chickenpox. The vaccines are administered in two doses and are 97% effective against measles with two doses and 93% effective after the first dose.
Measles spread can be stopped if two-dose vaccine coverage “remains at 95% or above in the community,” according to Public Health.
More information on measles is available at ph.lacounty.gov/measles.
Most health insurance plans cover the cost of the MMR and MMRV vaccines. Insured county residents should check with their doctor or local pharmacy for vaccine availability.
Uninsured or underinsured children and adults can access free or low-cost vaccines at clinics enrolled in the county’s Vaccines for Children and Vaccines for Adults program. A list of clinics that offer free or low-cost immunizations is available by calling 211 or visiting publichealth.lacounty.gov/ip/clinics.htm.
