Measles Makes a Comeback in Napa County After 15 Years

A child in Napa County has been diagnosed with measles, marking the first case in the area since 2012. The child, who had not received the measles vaccine, got sick after traveling to South Carolina, where a big outbreak is happening. Authorities are not sharing more details about the child. This news comes after another measles case was reported in Contra Costa County last month. The infected person had visited several stores in Walnut Creek before Christmas, prompting health officials to issue a warning. Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily through the air. It can linger on surfaces or in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that starts on the face and spreads down the body.Health officials say there is no widespread threat to the general public. They are working with the California Department of Public Health to notify anyone who might have been exposed and to make sure people are up to date on their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines. The MMR vaccine is highly effective in preventing measles. Health officials strongly recommend that unvaccinated people get the vaccine, which provides lifelong immunity after two doses. "MMR vaccines are our best defense against the measles virus and its complications, " said Health Officer Dr. Christine Wu. "Simply being in the same room with someone who has measles can result in infection for people who are not immune. " The outbreak in South Carolina, which is linked to the Napa County case, has infected 646 people since October. This highlights the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of measles.