Is measles a threat in SLO County? Officials urge residents to ‘protect yourself’ (2025)

As measles spreads across the United States, the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department is urging residents to take precautions against the highly contagious virus.

So far in 2025, the disease has infected more than 600 people nationwide, leading to six outbreaks and the deaths of two children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Eight confirmed measles cases had been reported in California as of March 31, according to the California Department of Public Health.

The last confirmed measles case in San Luis Obispo County was in 2018, the county public health department said.

However, the SLO County Public Health Department warned residents to “protect yourself and your family from this preventable and potentially serious illness.”

“Measles is a disease we can prevent,” San Luis Obispo County Health Officer Penny Borenstein said in an April 4 news release.

What is measles? How does disease spread?

Measles is a “highly contagious” virus that can cause serious health complications, especially in young children under the age of 5, according to the CDC.

The disease spreads through the air when a contagious person coughs or sneezes.

Lingering measles particles can remain alive in a room for up to two hours after an infected person has left, the CDC said.

“We take measles very seriously because it is so contagious and can be very dangerous, especially for infants and young children,” Borenstein said.

Measles was officially eliminated in the United States in 2000, the CDC said, after an effective vaccination program ceased the “continuous spread of disease” for longer than 12 months.

At the time, measles was not spreading anywhere in the United States and new cases were only reported when a U.S. resident contracted the illness while traveling abroad, according to the federal public health agency.

As of Monday, however, measles was on the rise across the country, with measles cases reported in a total of 21 states.

Texas and New Mexico have experienced the biggest recent outbreaks, with Texas reporting 481 measles cases since late January and New Mexico reporting 54 cases.

What are common measles symptoms?

Measles cases typically start with a high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes, according to the SLO County Public Health Department.

After a few days of symptoms, tiny white spots pop up inside the mouth, the county health agency said, followed by a rash of small red spots that appear on the face and then the rest of the body.

People who are infected with measles are contagious for about nine days on average, the public health department said.

Here are some of the most common measles symptoms, according to the CDC:

• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes
• Tiny white spots inside the mouth
• Rash that appears as flat red spots or small raised bumps

Complications from measles usually include ear infections and diarrhea, the CDC said, while more serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis.

“Measles isn’t just a little rash,” the CDC warned. “Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children.”

Who is most at risk of measles?

“Anyone who is not vaccinated against measles is at risk” of getting sick, according to the California Department of Public Health.

What’s the best way to protect against virus?

“The best way to protect against measles is with the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine,” the CDC recommended.

The CDC said the two-dose vaccine is safe and about 97% effective at preventing measles.

Children can get the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine, which also protects against chickenpox, according to the California Department of Public Health.

“We’re fortunate to have very effective routine vaccines to protect us from measles,” Borenstein said. “If you’re not up to date on your vaccines or aren’t sure, it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor and catch up as a family, to protect your health and peace of mind.”

SLO County residents can contact their primary health care provider, a local pharmacy or the public health department to schedule a vaccine appointment.

The MMR vaccine “provides strong protection again the virus,” the county health department said in the release.

The county health agency also urged residents who have upcoming travel plans to check for possible measles outbreaks at their destinations.

You can visit the CDC’s Measles Cases and Outbreaks page for U.S. locations or the CDC’s Global Measles Travel Health page for international trips.