Sacramento County Public Health (SCPH) has confirmed cases of measles in two unvaccinated children. The first is in a child who contracted the disease in January while traveling to South Carolina, where there is a large ongoing outbreak. The exposure in the second child is currently unknown. These are two of the 26 confirmed measles cases in California recorded this year, as of March 2, 2026.
“Measles is highly contagious and can easily be brought back into our community through travel,” said Dr. Olivia Kasirye, Sacramento County Public Health Officer. “The most important step for people to take right now is to make sure you and your family are up to date on the measles vaccination.”
The child who contracted the disease while traveling is no longer symptomatic or contagious.
The second child received care at Kaiser Permanente Roseville Medical Center located at 1600 Eureka Rd, Roseville, CA 95661 on March 2, between 6:55 a.m. and 7:14 a.m. This child is now recovering in home isolation.
Kaiser Permanente Roseville Medical Center has identified patients and staff who may have been exposed and is coordinating with SCPH to notify those individuals. The hospital implemented appropriate infection control measures once measles was suspected and alerted public health officials. Anyone who was at the above location during the date and time listed may be at risk of developing measles and should contact SCPH’s Communicable Disease Program at (916) 8755881. A trained public health team is available to assess individual risk and determine whether preventive steps, including MMR vaccination, are recommended.
Measles can be safely prevented with a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) or a measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine (MMRV). They are administered in two doses (typically given at one year and four to six years old) and are highly effective. Two doses are 97% effective in preventing measles, and one dose is 93% effective.
Measles is highly contagious and can spread through the air and on surfaces. People can contract measles just by being in the same room with someone who is infectious. Early symptoms typically appear 8 to 12 days after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a rash that spreads from the face down the body. Measles can cause serious complications, especially in infants, young children and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of measles should stay home, avoid contact with others and call their healthcare provider before visiting a medical facility. Early reporting and isolation help prevent further spread.
The United States has reported over 1,136 confirmed measles cases in 2026, 93% of which involved unvaccinated individuals or individuals whose vaccination status was unknown. Public health officials have linked most of this year’s cases to domestic transmission, especially in Utah, Florida and South Carolina. Learn more about measles on the CDC Measles website or the CDPH Measles website.
SCPH encourages residents to review their vaccination records. Adults born after 1957 who lack documentation of MMR vaccination or prior measles infection should speak with a healthcare provider. Some adults may need a second dose. Individuals vaccinated between 1963 and 1967 may require revaccination. Children should receive the MMR vaccine at 12–15 months and again between ages 4 and 6. Infants as young as 6 months can receive an early dose before international travel. For more information regarding vaccinations, please visit www.sacvax.com.
Nearly all health insurance plans are required to cover the cost of MMR and MMRV vaccines. Insured persons should check with their healthcare provider or a 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) programs. For information about clinics that offer free or low-cost immunizations for individuals who are uninsured or underinsured, call 2-1-1.