By admin 
Measles cases in California in 2026 have already more than doubled the total for all of 2025, state health officials reported.
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In California, there have been 52 confirmed cases of measles in 2026, the California Department of Public Health said July 20.
The state had 25 confirmed cases in all of 2025.
Children ages 5 to 19 account for 52% of the confirmed 2026 cases, the agency said. Four of the 2026 cases have required hospitalization, and there have been no deaths.
Sacramento and Placer are among the counties reporting confirmed cases in 2026, the department said.
The highly contagious disease infected 2,289 people nationwide in 2025, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So far in 2026, the U.S. has confirmed 2,318 cases and 93% of those were unvaccinated.
Here’s what to know:
What is measles? Where are outbreaks in the U.S.?
Measles is a “highly contagious” virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, according to the CDC.
The disease can cause “serious health complications,” especially in children younger than 5 years old, the federal public health agency said.
Complications due to measles can include pneumonia, “brain swelling, even blindness and death,” Chin-Hong said.
Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, the CDC said, meaning that the continuous spread of the disease was stopped for longer than 12 months.
Already, as of Feb. 26, 28 states have reported measles cases.
Why are measles cases increasing?
About 90% of unvaccinated people who come in contact with measles will get sick with the disease, the California Department of Public Health said.
The highly contagious virus can live airborne in a room for up to two hours, the agency said, and it only requires a small amount of particles to infect someone.
Measles rates are primarily rising due to high rates of the disease in other parts of the world paired with falling vaccination rates in the United States.
Cuts to public health funding have also contributed to the spread, he added, along with a wave of fake conspiracy theories that mislead people about the importance of getting vaccinated.
Read more Measles cases in California already double 2025 totals. Here’s what to know
Disease expert predicts more cases, hospitalizations and deaths
Many public health officials suspected the United States will lose its measles elimination status by the end of 2025,. It hasn’t yet, but 2026’s outbreaks may do so.
That would mean there’s sustained measles transmission in local communities for more than 12 months, he said, without the disease being introduced from outside the country.
What are common measles symptoms?
Measles cases typically start with a high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes, according to the CDC.
After a few days of symptoms, tiny white spots pop up inside the mouth, the public health agency said, followed by a rash of small red spots that appear on the face and then the rest of the body.
Symptoms typically appear about seven to 14 days after being exposed to the virus, the national public health agency said.
Here are some of the most common measles symptoms, according to the CDC:
- High fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- Rash
Complications from measles usually include ear infections and diarrhea, the CDC said, while more serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis.
“Some people think of measles as just a little rash and fever that clears up in a few days,” the CDC warned. “But measles can cause serious health complications.”
Who is most at risk of measles?
“Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk” of getting sick, according to the CDC.
What’s the best way to protect against the virus?
“The best way to protect against measles is with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine,” the CDC said.
The federal health agency said the two-dose vaccine is safe and about 97% effective at preventing measles.
Children can get vaccinated against measles as early as 6 months old.
The CDC recommends that kids get one dose between ages 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 to 6 years old.
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