Public health officials in Yolo County are sounding the alarm as a local resident of West Sacramento was recently diagnosed with measles, marking the 13th case in California this year. The source of the infection is yet to be identified, although according to a statement obtained by the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency, air travel might have played a role. This follows two cases in 2024 from residents who had traveled internationally, a significant sighting after nearly a decade without local measles cases.
The individual in question, suffering a mild illness, is recovering at home, yet their vaccination status is still unknown. Complicating matters, additional measles detection has occurred in wastewater samples from the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant in late May and early June. While it's uncertain if the June wastewater findings are related to the recently diagnosed person, the May detections point towards a potential unknown measles case, as per the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency.
Healthcare exposures are a concern as well, with the affected person having visited Sutter Davis Hospital while infectious. The hospital, having identified possibly exposed patients and staff, is working with health officials to notify them. Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency advises anyone who was at Sutter Davis Hospital's Emergency Department at the specified times to reach out for guidance on measles risks and vaccination recommendations.
“This case of measles in our community is a good reminder that while international travelers and those traveling to outbreak areas within the U.S. are at highest risk of measles, residents can also encounter measles during travel to non-outbreak areas or even within our local community," said Dr. Aimee Sisson, Yolo County Public Health Officer, in a statement that emphasizes the unpredictable nature of measles and checks on vaccination status, as reported by the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency.
With measles cases in the U.S. topping the 1000 mark this year — a steep rise from the previous year — the spotlight turns to vaccinations. The increase, particularly noted in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, is largely amongst unvaccinated individuals or those with unclear vaccination records. Interestingly, the majority of the California cases are tied to international travel, with only a portion resulting from domestic transmission, as per the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency.
As symptoms typically appear 8 to 12 days after exposure, Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency is urging residents to review their immunization records and get vaccinated if necessary. With insurance plans generally covering MMR and MMRV vaccines, and clinics offering them for free or at low-cost to the uninsured or underinsured, there are few barriers to boosting community immunity. To assist those who may have been exposed or are seeking vaccination information, resources on measles and immunization clinics can be found by visiting the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agenct Website or the CDC.
