San Luis Obispo County confirmed its first case of measles in seven years, the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department announced in a statement on December 17, 2025.
A local child was found to be suffering from the contagious virus, becoming the first confirmed case of measles in the county since 2018, the health department said.
The risk of local transmission is considered low, and no new cases have been reported so far, the health department said.
No additional details of the case were disclosed.
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One of the most contagious viruses known, measles is best prevented through vaccination, Dr. Penny Borenstein, County Health Officer, said in the statement.
“This case is a stark reminder that measles, though declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, can still reappear when vaccination rates decline,” Dr. Borenstein added.
Across California, 23 confirmed cases of measles were reported as of December 15, 2025, according to the California Department of Public Health. This figure, however, does not include the case in San Luis Obispo County.
There has been a surge in reported measles cases in the U.S. this year, according to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
A total of 1,281 measles cases were reported as of July 7, 2025, up from the 1,274 cases reported throughout 2019, according to a U.S. Measles Tracker hosted by the International Vaccine Access Center at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and developed in collaboration with the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at the Whiting School of Engineering.
What is Measles?
Measles is a contagious viral disease that is typically transmitted through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department said. The virus can linger in the air for up to an hour after it leaves the body.
Individuals start showing symptoms seven to 21 days after exposure, and it usually begins with high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes.
Two to three days after the symptoms appear, tiny white spots may be seen inside the mouth. An infected person may then develop a red rash on the face and then on the rest of the body.
An infected person is usually contagious for about nine days, including the four days before the rash begins to show, the day of the onset of the rash, and four days after, the statement said.
It is advisable for infected persons to stay at home and contact their healthcare provider before visiting any facility to minimize the spread.
Complications can be serious, especially for infants, pregnant women, and people with weak immune systems. Severe complications include pneumonia, brain inflammation (encephalitis), or, in rare cases, death, according to the statement.
Even one single case commands a strong response, Dr. Borenstein said.
“Our public health team is working to notify anyone who may have been exposed and to reinforce vaccination awareness,” Dr. Borenstein said.
Vaccination for Measles
The best way to stay protected against measles is to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Most people who have received the MMR vaccine are protected for life, according to the CDC. Usually, children need two doses of the vaccines, once at 12 to 15 months of age, and the next at four to six years of age.
Older children, adolescents, and adults need one or two doses of the vaccine if they don’t have evidence of immunity.
CDC also advises individuals to receive the vaccine before international travel.
Anti-vaxxers and morons who listen to RFK Jr for medical advice are putting children at risk. Funny, as it’s usually the Qanon crowd who are vehemently anti-vax yet at the same time make their whole thing about “saving the children” from adrenochrome-drinking liberal elites. They support protecting billionaire child rapists and refuse to vaccinate their kids against deadly disease. Mind blowing.