Los Angeles officials report additional measles case, California cases reach 40

In a follow-up on the measles situation in Los Angeles County, health officials report investigating an additional confirmed case of measles in a Los Angeles County resident. This case is linked to the outbreak of four cases reported last month and is not associated with either the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) or California State University Los Angeles (Cal State LA) exposures.

Public exposure locations associated with this case at this time have not been identified.

Currently, there are seven measles cases among Los Angeles County residents in 2019, and five non-resident measles cases that traveled through Los Angeles County. Of the seven measles cases among residents, two are not linked and were infected during international travel. The majority of the cases were unvaccinated.

“It is very important if you or someone you know has symptoms of measles or has been exposed to measles to contact your healthcare provider by phone right away before going in,” said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer. “We will likely see additional measles cases in Los Angeles County, so if you are not already immune to measles, the best way to protect yourself and to prevent the spread of measles is to get the measles immunization, with two doses of measles immunization being about 97% effective at preventing measles.”

In California as of May 1, 40 confirmed measles cases, including 28 outbreak-associated cases have been reported.