Two measles cases in nearby county are a concern for Stanislaus County. What to know
Tuolumne County health officials confirmed two cases of measles and warned the public about the highly contagious illness.
Two suspected cases of measles were reported Tuesday in the Mother Lode county next door to Stanislaus County and testing determined both were positive, a Tuolumne County Public Health news release said.
The infected individuals were an adult and child from the same household who had recently traveled outside the United States. Their vaccination status was not confirmed.
Public health officials were working to identify people who may have been exposed to the measles cases.
“We understand that there may be a lot of questions and concerns,” said Michelle Jachetta, public health director for Tuolumne County. “We want to remind the public measles is a highly contagious disease and to take steps to protect yourself and your family by ensuring current vaccination status for measles, monitoring of symptoms, and staying home when you feel sick.”
Jachetta said the public health investigation is ongoing.
In a news release earlier this week, Tuolumne County informed residents about potential risk of measles exposure at Summerville High School on March 10-11. The Adventist Health Emergency Department in Sonora was another location of potential exposure March 15-16.
Dr. Thea Papasozomenos, Stanislaus County’s public health officer, said with measles cases reported in nearby areas, residents should ensure their family members are up to date on measles vaccinations, because of the highly contagious nature of the virus and its ability to spread through populations.
“The measles vaccine is safe and highly effective at providing lifelong protection,” Papasozomenos said in a statement. “Two doses of the vaccine offer approximately 97% effectiveness against measles. Vaccination remains the best way to prevent measles and keep our community safe.”
The health officer said the measles outbreaks in unvaccinated communities in Texas and New Mexico are a critical reminder of the importance of vaccination in protecting the broader community.
If a county resident is known to have been exposed to measles in another jurisdiction, that county will notify Stanislaus County health officials or the state Department of Public Health will contact the county. Public health staff in Stanislaus County will contact the individual to gather information and assess their immunity to measles.
Tuolumne County Public Health said anyone exposed to the highly infectious disease should monitor themselves for symptoms and check their vaccination history. They could develop measles symptoms including a fever and unexplained rash within a 7- to 21-day period.
People who were exposed are no longer at risk after three weeks of being symptom free.
A person with symptoms should stay home and avoid contact with other people, the Tuolumne news release said. He or she should contact their healthcare provider and call ahead of any visit to a medical office to inform them about the measles exposure and symptoms.
Stanislaus and Tuolumne counties both said that everyone 6 months and older who are planning travel internationally should have protection from the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine.
More information about measles is available at www.cdph.ca.gov.
This story was originally published March 20, 2025 at 3:13 PM.
