California Experiences Surge In Measles Cases, Total Reaches 34

With two new cases confirmed in Sacramento County, the number of measles cases in California has risen to 34.

The children in the most recent cluster were not immunized. According to officials, measles poses a risk to the unvaccinated but causes minimal harm to those who have received vaccinations.

“The continued identification of measles cases in our community is concerning and underscores how quickly this disease can spread,” Dr. Olivia Kasirye, Sacramento County Public Health Officer, said in a statement.

“Measles can cause serious illness but it’s important to remember these cases are preventable. Vaccination is the most important step people can take right now to protect themselves and others,” Kasirye added.

Health officials say the risk to public “remains low,” but they urged the public to “be hyper-aware and take steps to protect themselves and others.”

According to the CDC, the majority of children receive the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which offers long-lasting protection against all strains of the disease, despite the fact that measles is the most contagious illness in the world.

Within seven to fourteen days of infection, symptoms such as a high fever, runny nose, rash, and cough start to show.

33 states have reported cases, and 92% of those cases involve either unvaccinated people or those whose vaccination records are unclear. Over 1,671 confirmed cases of measles were reported in the United States in 2026.