Confirmed Case of Measles in Los Angeles County

First Measles Case Confirmed in Los Angeles County Since August

Los Angeles County has reported its first confirmed measles case since August, as announced by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on Friday. The patient, who remains unidentified, reportedly traveled internationally prior to the diagnosis.

Currently, there are no identified locations in Los Angeles County, aside from healthcare settings, where the public may have been exposed to the virus. Health care facilities impacted by the case are reaching out to patients and staff who may have been in contact with the infected individual.

Public Health officials are actively working to identify others who may have been exposed and are verifying their measles vaccination status.

"Measles is a serious respiratory disease that spreads easily through the air and on surfaces, particularly among those who are not already protected from it," said Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County’s health officer. "A person can spread the illness to others before they show symptoms, and symptoms can take seven to 21 days to appear after exposure. Measles can lead to severe illness in young children and vulnerable adults."

Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has documented 588 confirmed cases of measles, marking the highest January count since the United States achieved elimination status in 2000. Most of these cases are associated with ongoing outbreaks in South Carolina, Arizona, and Utah.

In nearby Orange County, there have also been two recent cases—one involving a young adult who traveled internationally and another involving a toddler.

Common symptoms of measles include fever, cough, red watery eyes, and a rash that typically begins on the head before spreading. The virus can be transmitted through the air or by direct contact with an infected person, often starting four days before the rash becomes visible.