March 14, 2025

For Immediate Release

Redwood City — With the recent rise of measles cases nationally, San Mateo County joins Bay Area health officials in urging everyone to get the measles vaccination if they are not sure if they got it or if they did not have measles as a child, and to be aware of the signs and symptoms of measles after travel or exposure.   

Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious illness and death, and the safe and highly effective measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine offers the best protection against the virus. Protect yourself by making sure each member of your family who is 12 months to 3 years old is vaccinated with one dose of MMR vaccine, and each person who is age 4 or older has gotten two doses of MMR vaccine.

Over 300 measles cases have been reported in the United States as of March 14, 2025. This includes a large outbreak among primarily unvaccinated children in Texas and nearby states. At this time, there have been two deaths. These were the first measles deaths in the United States since 2015.

There are five reported measles cases in California as of March 11, 2025.  All five cases were separately reported after international travel, and there is no evidence they are connected to the outbreak in Texas.

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