California has recorded 13 foreign measles cases so far this
year – seven of them since April, and one of them in San Benito
County.
Barbara Anderson
California has recorded 13 foreign measles cases so far this year – seven of them since April, and one of them in San Benito County.
Health officials say measles – essentially eliminated in the United States in 2000 – continues to find its way into the country, mostly from travelers who pick up the virus in foreign countries.
This year, outbreaks in Europe, India and the Philippines have increased chances of international travelers coming into contact with the disease. More than 9,000 measles cases have been reported just in France, health officials said.
“We’re getting into tourist season. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a case locally,” said David Luchini, manager of the communicable disease division at the Fresno County Department of Public Health.
So far this year, Mendocino County has had three cases and Santa Clara has had two. Single cases have been reported in Stanislaus, Sacramento, Alameda, Orange, San Benito, San Mateo and Sonoma counties.
Statewide last year, there were 27 cases, and in 2009 there were nine. Fresno County has not had a measles case since 1994.
Measles is spreading in Europe and other countries this year because immunization rates remain low, said Kathleen Harriman, an epidemiologist with the California Department of Public Health.
Europe’s immunization rates hover between 80% and 85%, too low to prevent transmission, Harriman said. “You really need it to be 90% to 95%.”
Harriman said Californians traveling to other countries should make sure their children have been immunized.
Measles typically causes a fever, runny nose, cough, sore eyes and a red rash over the body. But one child in every 1,000 who gets measles will develop encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain that can lead to convulsions, deafness or brain damage. And for every 1,000 children who become severely ill, one or two die from the disease.
Measles has become a rarity in California and the United States. The state’s last major epidemic was in 1989 and 1990, when 17,000 cases were reported. Fresno County had hundreds of cases; nine children died.
The 1989-90 epidemic led the federal government to create a program to ensure low-income children get vaccinated, and to recommend two doses of vaccine to boost immunity.
Still, outbreaks do occur in California. The latest was in San Diego in 2008, when 12 cases were reported. The outbreak was spread by unvaccinated children, Harriman said.
Measles shots usually are given between 12-15 months of age, but infants as young as six months can receive the vaccine if they will be traveling internationally, she said.
Most people born before 1957 are presumed to be immune to measles, because they were infected at some time in their lives.
But adults should assess their immunity status before traveling, Harriman said.
