Health officials in the Bay Area have issued an urgent public health alert following confirmed measles exposure in several counties, including Santa Clara and Alameda. The case, linked to an unvaccinated resident returning from overseas travel, highlights growing concerns over measles in the region.
The infected individual visited multiple public locations while contagious, including:
- H Mart, San Jose – May 21 (7:15–9:00 p.m.)
- Starbucks, Newark – May 23 (11:45 a.m.–2:00 p.m.)
- Trader Joe’s, Milpitas – May 25 (4:45–8:00 p.m.)
These visits could have exposed others to the highly contagious measles virus, which can linger in the air for up to two hours.
“We’re asking everyone to check their whereabouts and vaccination status,” said Dr. Sarah Rudman, Santa Clara County’s Acting Health Officer.
This is the first confirmed measles case in Santa Clara County since 2019. Despite generally high immunization coverage in the region, pockets of unvaccinated residents continue to pose a risk. Across California, 11 measles cases have been reported in 2024, while over 1,000 cases have been confirmed nationwide, according to the CDC.
The MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) remains the most effective defense. Two doses provide up to 97% protection. Yet, many exposed individuals remain unvaccinated or unaware of their vaccination status.
Symptoms and Next Steps
Symptoms of measles appear 7–21 days after exposure and include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red eyes
- Rash starting on the face and spreading
Those who were at the affected locations during the specified times should contact a healthcare provider before visiting clinics, especially if unvaccinated, to prevent further spread.
Stay Protected
Health departments are encouraging all Bay Area residents to:
- Check your vaccination status at myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov
- Avoid contact with unvaccinated individuals
- Watch for symptoms over the next three weeks
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