County Health Advises Vaccination As Measles Cases Rise

Recent Cases In Los Angeles, San Bernardino, And Riverside Counties

Santa Barbara County Health Department advises residents  who are not already immune to Measles get vaccinated against the highly contagious  disease.

The best protection against measles infection is the measles, mumps, and  rubella (MMR) vaccine. As of February 9, 2026, California has reported a total of 17  statewide cases. This includes an outbreak of eight related cases in Shasta County, the  state’s first measles outbreak since 2020. There are currently no reported cases of  measles in Santa Barbara County. County Health is closely monitoring surveillance  data and collaborating with local health care providers to ensure the community remains  informed and protected. 

“Measles is one of the most contagious and dangerous diseases, capable of causing  severe pneumonia, brain complications, and even death.” Henning Ansorg, MD, County  Health Officer. “The MMR vaccine is safe, well tolerated, and incredibly effective—just  one dose provides 93% protection against measles. We can prevent measles with  vaccination.” 

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. Unvaccinated individuals, particularly young  children and pregnant people, face the highest risk of severe illness and even death.  Roughly 90% of those unvaccinated and exposed to measles will contract the disease.  Symptoms include a fever that lasts a couple of days followed by a cough, runny nose,  conjunctivitis (pink eye) and rash. Those infected can spread measles about four days  before their rash starts to four days afterwards. 

Here are some things you can do to prevent measles: 

• Check vaccination status. If you are unsure of your vaccination status, your  immunity to measles, or have never received the MMR vaccine, talk to your health  care provider. You may be able to find your or your child’s vaccine records through  California’s Digital Vaccine Record (DVR) site.  
• Before traveling internationally, everyone 12 months and older should receive two  MMR doses, and babies 6 to 11 months are recommended to get one dose of  MMR vaccine. Families with children traveling to regions in the United States with  ongoing outbreaks should consult with a health care provider about following  immunization recommendations for international travel. 
• Schedule a vaccine appointment by contacting your local pharmacy or health care  provider. MMR vaccines are covered for most people through health insurance  plans, including Medi-Cal.  

For more information, visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/1637/Immunization.