The California Department of Public Health is issuing an urgent warning to travelers after an unvaccinated passenger spread measles across six different counties during a cross country trip. The individual, who is currently hospitalized, traveled via Amtrak trains and Thruway bus services between September 12 and 14. Starting in Los Angeles after arriving from Chicago, the passenger moved through Bakersfield, Stockton, and Oroville before traveling to Sacramento and Emeryville, eventually departing for Denver on September 14.
State health officials are now coordinating with the CDC and local authorities in Alameda, Butte, Kern, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Joaquin counties to identify and notify anyone who may have come into contact with the traveler. Because measles is incredibly contagious, officials warn that roughly ninety percent of unvaccinated people exposed to the virus will contract it. Dr. Rita Nguyen, Assistant State Public Health Officer, emphasized that these recent outbreaks serve as a critical reminder of why vaccinations are necessary, noting that the disease can lead to permanent brain damage or death, particularly in children.
For those who believe they were exposed, health experts advise checking their measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine records immediately. Those who are not fully immunized should contact a healthcare provider right away; depending on how recently the exposure occurred, doctors may recommend a vaccine booster or immune globulin treatment for high risk groups like pregnant women or infants. Anyone experiencing a fever followed by a cough or unexplained rash should call their doctor before visiting a clinic to prevent further spreading the virus to other patients.
This incident comes amid a troubling trend for the state this year. As of mid September, California has recorded fifty nine measles cases across thirteen counties. A staggering ninety four percent of those patients were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. To combat this rise in preventable illness, state health officials are urging all residents to utilize tools like the California Digital Vaccine Record to ensure they are up to date on their immunizations.
