Santa Cruz County health officials, along with a number of other agencies in the Bay Area and Central Coast, are urging the public to get a measles vaccine if they have not already done so.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious illness and death. The disease spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes. Symptoms typically include fever, cough, runny nose, and pink eye. A rash may develop two to four days later.
A press release from the Association of Bay Area Health Officials on Friday said that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best protection against the virus, and that everyone who is one to three years old should get vaccinated with one dose of the jab, while people age four and older should receive a second dose.
More than 300 measles cases have been reported in the United States as of Friday, many of which are from a large outbreak in Texas and nearby states that has largely affected unvaccinated children. Two people have died, marking the first measles deaths in the country since 2015.
In California, there have been five measles cases reported as of this Tuesday, all of which were reported separately after international travel. There is no evidence that they are connected to the Texas outbreak.
“Measels is highly contagious, yet highly preventable through vaccination,” said Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Lisa Hernandez. “The best way to protect yourself and your family against measles is by getting the MMR vaccine.”
A measles case was confirmed in a person who traveled to Santa Cruz County last July. County public health has not announced any local measles cases in 2025 thus far.
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