Measles returns to SF with first confirmed case since 2019

Key Points:

• San Francisco has confirmed its first measles case since 2019 in an infant under 12 months, who was exposed abroad and is now recovering at home; household contacts are vaccinated and public health is tracing further exposures.
• Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that can cause serious complications, especially in young children, with symptoms lasting about 10 days and potential risks including pneumonia and brain swelling.
• Infants between six to 12 months are particularly vulnerable; while they can receive an early measles vaccine dose at six months, they still require the full two-dose series later in childhood.
• The recent global increase in measles cases is linked to vaccine hesitancy and missed immunizations during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the critical need for timely MMR vaccination.
• Health officials urge heightened awareness of measles symptoms, especially rash presentations in emergency rooms, to prevent further spread of this highly infectious disease.