On July 24,2025, the Tulare County Public Health has confirmed two cases of measles, both children who were not vaccinated.They contracted the virus while traveling outside California.
These are the first confirmed cases of measles in the county for 2025. But cases are rising in California and nationally, particularly among unvaccinated people.With this case, California had already recorded 18 confirmed measles cases, more than in all of 2024 combined. This is a trend nationwide and is the largest U.S. measles outbreak in decades. Some blame the anti-vaccine movement or vaccine hesitancy for the increase including current Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kenday Jr.
Why are cases up?
Declining vaccination rates: California kindergartner MMR coverage fell slightly—from 96.5% to 96.2%—but remains above the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity. However, regional pockets (e.g., Sutter County at 75.8%) fall below safe levels.Kern County’s vaccination rate is lower than the average but Tulare County and Kings County still have a 95% vaccination rate for kindergartners, as do most counties in the state.
International travel: Many cases originated overseas and were brought back by unvaccinated travelers.
Public Health officials are actively working to identify and trace potential exposures, determine if those exposed have been vaccinated for the disease, and evaluate their potential for developing and spreading measles. Anyone who has not been infected with measles in the past and has not been vaccinated for measles is at risk of contracting the disease.
About Measles
Measles spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes. Thevirus can stay in the air and on surfaces for many hours, even after the infected person has left. Theinfected person can spread the disease up to four days before a measles rash appears and up to four days after the rash appears.
If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected. Common symptoms for measles include:
- High fever (higher than 101° F)
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red and watery eyes
- Tiny white spots that may appear inside the mouth 2-3 days after symptoms begin.
- Rash 3-5 days after other signs of illness. The “measles rash” typically starts at the face and then spreads down to the rest of the body.
Complications from measles are more common in children younger than 5 and adults 20 years and older. These can include diarrhea, ear infections, and pneumonia. Death can occur from severe complications, and the risk is higher among younger children and adults.
Important Guidance for Potential Exposures and Symptoms
There is no specific treatment for measles; prevention through vaccination is the only effective way to protect yourself and the community.
If you believe you have been exposed to measles or may be experiencing symptoms, call a healthcare
provider immediately. Do not go directly to a healthcare facility before calling and making them aware of your measles exposure and symptoms. Please isolate yourself at home to prevent further potential spread until you have spoken with a healthcare professional.
Measles can be prevented with a measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR or MMRV). The MMRvaccine protects against three diseases: measles, mumps and rubella. The MMRV vaccine protects against four diseases: measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox). They are administered in two doses and are highly effective: two doses are 97% effective against measles and one dose is 93% effective. The spread of measles can be prevented if 2-dose coverage of the vaccine remains at 95% or
above in the community.
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is effective. Two doses provide 97% protection against measles.
Measles is very contagious. Measles spreads when someone infected speaks, coughs, sneezes or breathes. It can linger in the air up to two hours after the infected person has left.
Unvaccinated people are at high risk. Roughly 90% of those unvaccinated and exposed to measles will contract the disease.
Measles Activity in California, 2025
California Dept of Public Health says as of July 21, 2025, 18 confirmed measles cases have been reported with Tulare’s find the latest. The affected jurisdictions are:Fresno,Long Beach,Los Angeles,Orange, Placer, Riverside,Sacramento,San Mateo Santa Clara, Tulare (in July) Tuolumne, and Yolo.
Measles Outbreaks in California
In California in 2024, 15 cases were confirmed. In 2023, four cases were confirmed. In 2019, there were 73 confirmed measles cases in California. This included 41 cases linked to six outbreaks; defined as three or more cases. Of the six outbreaks, five were linked to patients with international travel. One had an unknown source. The largest outbreak had 21 cases and occurred in a health care setting.
From December 2014–April 2015, roughly 131 Californians got infected from an outbreak in Disneyland. The outbreak also infected residents of six other states, Mexico and Canada.
Nationwide cases
The U.S. Center for Disease Control says as of December 31, 2024, a total of 285 measles cases were reported by 33 jurisdictions.
U.S. cases way up in 2025
As of July 22, 2025, a total of 1,319 confirmed measles cases were reported by 40 jurisdictions: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.
Three people have died as a result of the disease this year. The last time the country saw a significant case spike was in 1992, when 2,126 people contracted measles, the CDC says.
If you are planning to travel internationally, it’s essential to get vaccinated against measles before you go.