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Measles outbreaks in western Texas and New Mexico have now reached more than 250 cases, with two unvaccinated people dying from measles-related causes.
In California, as of March 8th, there were five confirmed cases of measles this year, according to the state Department of Public Health. On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported additional lawsuits.
Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that spreads into the air and easily spreads when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is preventable through vaccines and is considered to have been excluded from the United States since 2000.
Here’s what you need to know about measles:
Los Angeles and California
There were five measles cases in California this year, according to state health department data available in early March. The next division update is scheduled for later this month.
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said it had been notified of the first case of measles diagnosed in 2025 in a Los Angeles County resident. The person traveled to LAX, where he recently traveled to China Airlines Flight Cal8/CI8, which arrived at LAX on March 5th.
People at the next location on the specified date and time may be at risk of developing measles due to exposure to this individual.
Wednesday, March 5th, 7pm to 10pm: Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B) at Los Angeles International Airport (Terminal B) on Friday, March 7th, 11am to 5pm: Cloud9 Nail Salon, 5142 N. Lankersim Boulevard, North Hollywood, North Hollywood, Monday, March 10th, 10am, Monte, 91731
The county health department is a non-Los Angeles County resident who traveled to LAX while infected and was previously notified of one case. The person arrived at the Korean Air Flight KAL11/KE11 at Tom Bradley International Airport (TBIT) Terminal B on February 19th.
From December 2014 to April 2015, at least 131 California residents were infected with a major Disneyland-related outbreak. In 2019, there were 73 confirmed cases of measles in California. This included 41 cases related to six outbreaks.
How many cases of measles are there in Texas and New Mexico?
Texas health officials said Tuesday there were 25 new cases of measles since the end of last week, bringing Texas total to 223, with 29 people hospitalising.
New Mexico health officials announced three new cases on Tuesday, bringing the state’s total to 33. The outbreak spreads out of Lee County, and the West Texas community at the epicenter of the outbreak has now included one case in Eddie County.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported two possible measles cases on Tuesday, saying it was “related” to the West Texas and New Mexico outbreak.
New Mexico reported the first measles-related death in adults last week after a school-age child died of measles in Texas last month.
Where do measles appear in the US?
Measles cases have been reported in Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US defines an outbreak as three or more related cases. There were also three clusters that were recognized as outbreaks in 2025.
In the US, cases and outbreaks are generally traced to people who have suffered illnesses overseas. It could then spread, especially in communities with low vaccination rates.
Do I need an MMR booster?
The best way to avoid measles is to get a measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12-15 months and 4-6 years old.
Californians can check their digital vaccine records here.
People at high risk of infection who got shots years ago may want to consider getting a booster if they live in an area where they are experiencing it, said Scott Weaver of the United Nations Global Virus Network. They may include people with measles or families who live with people who are particularly vulnerable to respiratory illnesses due to underlying medical conditions.
Adults with “presumed evidence of immunity” generally do not require a shot of measles, the CDC said. Standards include appropriate vaccinations early in life, laboratory confirmation of past infections, or written documents of birth before 1957, where most people are likely to be infected naturally.
Doctors can order a lab test called MMR titers to check the level of measles antibodies, but health experts do not always recommend this route. Insurance coverage may vary.
According to the CDC, if you are concerned about the decline in your immune system, it is harmless to acquire another MMR shot.
Those with documents that they would receive a live measles vaccine in the 1960s don’t need to recalculate, but those who have been vaccinated with an ineffective measles vaccine created from a virus that was “killed” before 1968 must recalculate at least one dose. That includes people who don’t know which type they’ve got.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Measles first infects the airways and then spreads throughout the body, causing high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and rashes.
The rash generally appears 3-5 days after the initial symptoms, starting as a flat red spot on the face and spreads below the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. If a rash appears, the fever can skyrocket or higher than 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the CDC.
How can you treat measles?
There is no specific treatment for measles, so doctors generally relieve symptoms, prevent complications, and keep patients comfortable.
Why is vaccination rates important?
In communities with high vaccination rates, diseases like measles struggle to spread to communities, over 95%. This is called “swar immunity.”
However, childhood vaccination rates have fallen nationwide as the pandemic and more parents advocate for exemptions of religious or personal conscience to exempt children from the necessary shots.
In the US, measles cases increased in 2024. This included more than 60 outbreaks in Chicago that led to illness.
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