NUMBER OF MEASLES CASES REPORTED ALL OF LAST YEAR…AND THERE ARE A COUPLE REASONS WHY.## MEASLES IS ONE OF THE MOST CONTAGIOUS VIRUSES IN THE WORLD. IN JUST A LITTLE OVER THREE MONTHS THERE HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO 13-HUNDRED CASES ACROSS THE U-S… AND 29 IN CALIFORNIA. MARTHA BLUM…THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR FOR INFECTION PREVENTION AT MONTAGE HEALTH SAYS VACCINATION RATES….AND TRAVELING ARE PARTIALLY TO BLAME. ACCORDING TO A REPORT BY THE C-D-C A LITTLE OVER 1-PERCENT OF U-S TODDLERS BORN IN 2015 ARE UNVACCINATED. SOME OF THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS INCLUDE A COUGH…PINK EYE…AND A FULL BODY RASH THAT TYPICALLY STARTS ON THE FACE. DOCTOR BLUM SAYS THE GOAL ISN’T TO CAUSE CONCERN..BUT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE KNOW WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR AND HOW TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AS NU
California sees rise in measles cases amid vaccination concerns
California has reported 29 measles cases this year, surpassing last year’s total, with low vaccination rates and travel contributing to the increase.
Updated: 7:09 PM PDT Mar 13, 2026
California has already surpassed last year’s total number of measles cases, with 29 reported in just a few months, as low vaccination rates and travel contribute to the rise. Across the United States, there have been close to 1,300 cases in a little over three months. Measles is one of the most contagious viruses globally, and if a person is not immune, they have a 90% chance of contracting it. However, the vaccine offers a 97% protective effect for those fully vaccinated.Dr. Martha Blum, the medical director for infection prevention at Montage Health, said vaccination rates and traveling are partially to blame for the rise in cases. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a little over 1% of U.S. toddlers born in 2015 are unvaccinated. “There are few cases in adults, but mostly it’s in young children who are unvaccinated or their vaccine status is unknown,” Blum said.Common symptoms of measles include a cough, pink eye, and a full-body rash that typically starts on the face. “However, it can be far more serious, including illnesses that lead to hospitalization, such as ear infections, pneumonias, and meningitis, which is inflammation and infection around the brain. And in the worst cases, it can actually lead to death,” Blum said. Measles is most severe in infants, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems.Blum confirmed that Monterey County has not had any measles cases since 2014, although there have been several suspected cases. She emphasized that the goal is not to cause concern but to ensure people know what to look out for and how to protect themselves as the number of cases rises.
MONTEREY, Calif. —
California has already surpassed last year’s total number of measles cases, with 29 reported in just a few months, as low vaccination rates and travel contribute to the rise.
Across the United States, there have been close to 1,300 cases in a little over three months. Measles is one of the most contagious viruses globally, and if a person is not immune, they have a 90% chance of contracting it. However, the vaccine offers a 97% protective effect for those fully vaccinated.
Dr. Martha Blum, the medical director for infection prevention at Montage Health, said vaccination rates and traveling are partially to blame for the rise in cases. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a little over 1% of U.S. toddlers born in 2015 are unvaccinated.
“There are few cases in adults, but mostly it’s in young children who are unvaccinated or their vaccine status is unknown,” Blum said.
Common symptoms of measles include a cough, pink eye, and a full-body rash that typically starts on the face.
“However, it can be far more serious, including illnesses that lead to hospitalization, such as ear infections, pneumonias, and meningitis, which is inflammation and infection around the brain. And in the worst cases, it can actually lead to death,” Blum said.
Measles is most severe in infants, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems.
Blum confirmed that Monterey County has not had any measles cases since 2014, although there have been several suspected cases.
She emphasized that the goal is not to cause concern but to ensure people know what to look out for and how to protect themselves as the number of cases rises.