California measles outbreaks linked to pockets of unvaccinated residents

"Measles is the most contagious vaccine-preventable viral infection in the world, and California is fighting multiple outbreaks. In a room where one person is infected, nine out of 10 unvaccinated people will also contract the disease. The viral particles also linger in the air long after the contagious person leaves, risking exposure to those who enter the room up to two hours later."

"If test results are positive, the communicable disease team has 72 hours or less to identify anyone who has been exposed and may be at high risk of infection or serious illness. Those people must quarantine or take a dose of a post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent spread. For the next 21 days nurses will monitor the group for symptoms."

"California has a high enough vaccination rate - about 95% of kindergarteners - to provide herd immunity against measles, but throughout the state pockets of unvaccinated communities drive outbreaks, experts say. Shasta and Riverside counties are working to contain localized outbreaks. These are the first measles outbreaks in the state since 2020 and are happening at a time when health departments have less money and fewer staff than in recent years."

California is experiencing multiple measles outbreaks in counties including Shasta and Riverside, marking the first state outbreaks since 2020. When a measles case is identified, public health teams must rapidly process laboratory samples, conduct contact tracing, and quarantine exposed individuals within 72 hours. Measles is the most contagious vaccine-preventable viral infection globally, with nine of ten unvaccinated people contracting the disease from one infected person. Viral particles remain airborne for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room. Although California maintains approximately 95% kindergarten vaccination rates providing herd immunity, pockets of unvaccinated communities fuel outbreaks. Health departments face resource constraints with reduced funding and staffing compared to recent years.

Read at ABC7 San Francisco