CORNERSTONE FOR FUTURE TREATMENTS OF MANY DISEASES, INCLUDING CANCER. STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE WARNING PEOPLE ABOUT A MEASLES OUTBREAK IN SHASTA COUNTY. EIGHT CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED, ALL IN PEOPLE WHO WEREN’T VACCINATED. 17 CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN CALIFORNIA SO FAR THIS YEAR. LAST YEAR, LARGE OUTBREAKS IN TEXAS AND SOUTH CAROLINA DROVE CASES TO THE HIGHEST IN 30 YEARS. THE U.S. DECLARED MEASLES ELIMINATED IN 2000, BUT IT’S NOW AT RISK OF LOSING THAT STATUS. DOCTOR MEHMET OZ, W
Measles cases on the rise across California as health officials urge vaccination
State health officials note an outbreak of measles in Shasta County, and two recent cases that visited Disneyland.
Updated: 2:22 PM PST Feb 11, 2026
California public health officials said the state is seeing a rise in measles cases in several counties, including an outbreak in Shasta County. The Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency said it has identified eight cases of measles in the county, making it the state’s first measles outbreak since 2020. Officials said seven of the patients were close contacts of the first case in the county. The California Department of Public Health noted that those affected were either unvaccinated or had an unknown history of vaccination. Shasta County identified several locations of possible exposure:Ninja Coalition, 900 Dana Drive on Jan. 23 from 2:30 to 5:20 p.m.An informal, outdoor capture the flag sport event at Highland Neighborhood Park, 555 Mill Valley Parkway, Redding, on Jan. 23 from noon to 4 p.m.Osaka Sushi, 1340 Churn Creek Rd., on Jan. 23 from 6:30 to 10 p.m.A gym basketball game at the former CrossPointe Community Church, 2960 Hartnell Ave., Redding, on Jan. 24 from 1:45 to 5 p.m.Costco, 4805 Bechelli Lane, Redding, on Jan. 24 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.Churn Creek HealthCare clinic, 3184 Churn Creek Road, Redding, on Jan. 28 from 1:45 to 5 p.m.However, county health officials noted that the seven new patients agreed to isolate and did not have contact with the public. The rise in cases comes after two recent cases visited Disneyland on Jan. 22 and Jan. 28 while infectious. In those cases, local health officials are working with Disneyland Resort to notify potentially exposed employees and members of the public. Measles cases have also been reported in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, making a total of 17 cases across the state, including the Shasta County outbreak. Health officials also noted that one of the largest outbreaks of measles in over 30 years is happening in South Carolina, with 920 associated cases.Symptoms of measles include a rash, typically appearing first on the face along the hairline and ears before spreading to the rest of the body, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. Measles can also lead to other complications, including ear infections and diarrhea.Health officials said infected people are usually contagious from about four days before their rash starts to four days afterward. “As a pediatrician and parent, I encourage families to make sure everyone gets up to date on their MMR vaccine, if they haven’t already,” said Dr. Erica Pan, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer, in a news release. Health officials noted that the MMR vaccine provides the best protection against disease and serious illness. Children usually get a first dose at 12 months or older, and a second dose at least one month after the first. The California Department of Public Health said the state reported more than 95% MMR vaccine coverage among kindergarteners for the 2024-25 school year, which is the level of immunity needed to reduce the risk of community spread. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
California public health officials said the state is seeing a rise in measles cases in several counties, including an outbreak in Shasta County.
The Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency said it has identified eight cases of measles in the county, making it the state’s first measles outbreak since 2020.
Officials said seven of the patients were close contacts of the first case in the county. The California Department of Public Health noted that those affected were either unvaccinated or had an unknown history of vaccination.
Shasta County identified several locations of possible exposure:
Ninja Coalition, 900 Dana Drive on Jan. 23 from 2:30 to 5:20 p.m.An informal, outdoor capture the flag sport event at Highland Neighborhood Park, 555 Mill Valley Parkway, Redding, on Jan. 23 from noon to 4 p.m.Osaka Sushi, 1340 Churn Creek Rd., on Jan. 23 from 6:30 to 10 p.m.A gym basketball game at the former CrossPointe Community Church, 2960 Hartnell Ave., Redding, on Jan. 24 from 1:45 to 5 p.m.Costco, 4805 Bechelli Lane, Redding, on Jan. 24 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.Churn Creek HealthCare clinic, 3184 Churn Creek Road, Redding, on Jan. 28 from 1:45 to 5 p.m.
However, county health officials noted that the seven new patients agreed to isolate and did not have contact with the public.
The rise in cases comes after two recent cases visited Disneyland on Jan. 22 and Jan. 28 while infectious. In those cases, local health officials are working with Disneyland Resort to notify potentially exposed employees and members of the public.
Measles cases have also been reported in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, making a total of 17 cases across the state, including the Shasta County outbreak.
Health officials also noted that one of the largest outbreaks of measles in over 30 years is happening in South Carolina, with 920 associated cases.
Symptoms of measles include a rash, typically appearing first on the face along the hairline and ears before spreading to the rest of the body, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. Measles can also lead to other complications, including ear infections and diarrhea.
Health officials said infected people are usually contagious from about four days before their rash starts to four days afterward.
“As a pediatrician and parent, I encourage families to make sure everyone gets up to date on their MMR vaccine, if they haven’t already,” said Dr. Erica Pan, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer, in a news release.
Health officials noted that the MMR vaccine provides the best protection against disease and serious illness. Children usually get a first dose at 12 months or older, and a second dose at least one month after the first.
The California Department of Public Health said the state reported more than 95% MMR vaccine coverage among kindergarteners for the 2024-25 school year, which is the level of immunity needed to reduce the risk of community spread.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel