US EditionPockets of unvaccinated communities are driving measles outbreaks in California
California reports 21 measles cases in 7 counties with outbreaks linked to unvaccinated groups amid declining public health funding and vaccine confidence.
- On Feb. 26, 2026, California is contending with its first measles outbreaks since 2020, as seven counties report 21 cases and lab testing occurs at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health laboratory.
- Statewide vaccination data show kindergarten vaccination rate is about 95%, yet pockets of unvaccinated communities and travel-related importations drive outbreaks after the Trump administration cut nearly $1 billion last year.
- Contact tracing revealed public health interview teams interviewed 278 people across six exposure sites, while county health workers monitored 246 people and L.A. County’s first three cases cost an estimated $231,000.
- Officials warned that pending lawsuits froze federal cuts, but local health departments treat the funds as lost, with Balter stating, 'What we can do with less is less unfortunately.'
- Federal dynamics show U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine safety doubts complicate containment, while California Democratic leaders oppose him and California joins a four-state alliance amid outbreaks in 26 states.
10 Articles
10 Articles
California measles outbreaks linked to pockets of unvaccinated residents
California health departments are fighting to contain measles outbreaks as cases rise and resources shrink. Investigating communicable diseases is time-intensive and expensive. Officials say teams have about 72 hours after a positive case to find exposed people and stop spread.
Measles is back in California. Health departments are fighting it with less.
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for its newsletters. When a possible measles case is identified in California, a phone rings at the local health department and the clock starts ticking. Laboratory workers need to process samples as soon as possible to confirm the case. And a public health nurse must call the patient to find out where they’ve been and who they’ve been in contact with recently. If test results are posit…
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