"Barely more than a week into the new year, the California Department of Public Health confirmed its first measles case of 2026. The diagnosis came from San Mateo County, where an unvaccinated adult likely contracted the virus from recent international travel, according to Preston Merchant, a San Mateo County Health spokesperson. Measles is one of the most infectious viruses in the world, and can remain in the air for two hours after an infected person leaves, according to the CDPH."
"Last year, the U.S. reported about 2,000 cases, the highest reported count since 1992, according to CDC data. "Right now, our best strategy to avoid spread is contact tracing, so reaching out to everybody that came in contact with this person," Merchant said. "So far, they have no reported symptoms. We're assuming that this is the first [California] measles case of the year." San Mateo County also reported an unvaccinated child's death from influenza ."
California reported its first measles case of 2026 in San Mateo County involving an unvaccinated adult likely infected during recent international travel. Measles can remain airborne for up to two hours and is among the most infectious viruses. The United States recorded about 2,000 measles cases last year, the highest since 1992. San Mateo County is conducting contact tracing and has found no symptoms so far among identified contacts. The county also reported an unvaccinated child's death from influenza. Nationwide outbreaks continue, including a 310-case outbreak in South Carolina and a 390-case outbreak at the Utah–Arizona border.
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