Measles: First Santa Barbara County Case Since 2019

Key Takeaways

• Santa Barbara County confirmed its first measles case since 2019, linked to international travel.
• The U.S. reported 2,465 measles cases in 2026 as of early August, compared to 2,289 in all of last year.
• According to the CDC, only 7% of infected people had received at least one vaccine dose; most were unvaccinated.
• San Luis Obispo County also confirmed its first measles case since 2018 in 2025, also tied to foreign travel.
• Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles.

First Measles Case Since 2019 Confirmed

Santa Barbara County health officials confirmed a measles case Monday night, the county's first since 2019. The case is linked to recent international travel by a county resident, according to an Aug. 11 press release. Investigators are working with local health care providers to identify potential exposures.

County Health officials said Tuesday they are actively investigating and coordinating with local health care providers to prevent further transmission. Additional information about the positive case was not available.

The patient is a woman who was infected while traveling on an international flight, according to Dr. Henning Ansorg, the county's public health officer. She has fully recovered and is no longer contagious, Ansorg said. He added that the risk to the community is low because potential contacts during her infectious period have already been tracked down.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after the person leaves a room, according to Santa Barbara County health officials. However, San Luis Obispo County's public health department previously stated the virus lingers for up to one hour. The exact survival time can depend on airflow and humidity.

Symptoms and Who Is at Risk

Symptoms usually appear 7 to 14 days after exposure, according to Coastal View, though some county guidance says the range can extend to 21 days. Early signs include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Tiny white spots may appear inside the mouth, followed by a red rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.

A person with measles is contagious from four days before the rash appears until four days after it disappears. The rash typically appears 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms, starting on the face, hairline, and neck, then spreading to the trunk, arms, and legs. High fever, sometimes spiking above 104 degrees, often occurs when the rash appears.

People at highest risk include those who have not received two MMR doses, infants under 12 months, pregnant people who are not immune, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Those who have received two doses of MMR vaccine have very low risk of infection. People with weakened immune systems are also at higher risk of infection, regardless of vaccination status.

Local California Context

The Santa Barbara case follows a similar pattern in San Luis Obispo County, which confirmed its first measles case since 2018 in 2025. That patient had also traveled abroad. These cases highlight how international travel can reintroduce measles into California communities with lower vaccination coverage.

Ventura County also confirmed its first documented measles case since 2017 last week, according to Ventura County Public Health officials. That case was likewise linked to recent international travel.

Background: Rising Measles Cases Nationwide

The United States had confirmed 2,465 measles cases in 2026 as of early August, a sharp increase from 2,289 cases reported during all of last year. Health officials attribute the surge to declining vaccination rates. CDC data shows only 7% of people who contracted measles had at least one vaccine dose, meaning the vast majority were unvaccinated.

As of Aug. 6, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 2,465 confirmed measles cases across 47 U.S. jurisdictions in 2026, with 94% of those cases linked to outbreaks. Dr. Lynn Fitzgibbons, an infectious disease specialist with Cottage Health, said declining vaccination rates are contributing to concern among health officials. "One of the things the infectious community is worried about is that our communities' defenses have dropped," Fitzgibbons said. "Vaccination rates across the country are dropping. We simply have a situation where measles, the most infectious disease we have as humans, is really getting a foothold."

According to the American Medical Association, measles rates are at their highest in decades, making protection for families more important than ever. Dr. Tyler Beauchamp, who shared guidance through the AMA, emphasized that vaccines are among the most thoroughly studied and effective tools to protect children from serious, vaccine-preventable diseases.

In another recent development, Tioga County, New York, also confirmed a measles case, according to the Tioga County Department of Public Health. Contact tracing is underway.

What Residents Should Do

Santa Barbara County health officials are urging residents to check their vaccination records and make sure they are up to date on the MMR vaccine. Anyone who develops measles symptoms should stay home and call a health care provider before visiting a medical facility to avoid further spread. For questions, residents can contact the County Health Disease Control Office at (805) 681-5280.

For those who may have been exposed, officials recommend checking vaccination records through the California Digital Vaccine Record (DVR) or a health care provider, and monitoring for fever or unexplained rash for 7 to 21 days after exposure. Pregnant people, infants under 12 months, those with weakened immune systems, and unvaccinated individuals should contact their health care provider as soon as possible for guidance.

If someone in the home develops measles symptoms, keep them isolated from other household members, especially unvaccinated ones. Stay home and do not attend work, school, or public events. Call your health care provider immediately and do not enter a health care facility before calling to notify them of the potential measles exposure.

Public health officials also emphasize that two doses of MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles. Vaccination records can typically be found through your health care provider, school immunization records, or the California Digital Vaccine Record. If you plan to travel, check your MMR vaccination status; infants aged 6 to 11 months traveling internationally may receive an early dose of the MMR vaccine. Schedule a vaccine appointment at a local pharmacy or health care provider, and MMR vaccines are covered for most people through health insurance plans, including Medi-Cal. Call ahead before visiting a medical office if you suspect measles so the facility can prepare to prevent spreading the virus to others.

At San Ysidro Pharmacy in Montecito, staff said they have not seen an increase in community members requesting measles vaccines. Sherry Saffarnia, a pharmacist at the pharmacy, said people should make sure their vaccinations are up to date. "When there's a case, it means it hasn't been done for a while, so you really have to update," Saffarnia said. Some Santa Barbara residents said they were unaware of the recent measles case. Nathan Williamson said he had not heard about it. "No, I can't say that I am. But now that it's been brought to my attention, I will definitely inquire about it a little more," Williamson said.

The American Medical Association also advises families that if they have questions about vaccines, they should talk with their child's physician.