Bay Area health officials warn of possible measles exposures
Bay Area health officials warn of possible measles exposure
The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department and Alameda County Public Health Department said a person tested positive for measles after returning to the Bay Area from international travel.
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Two Bay Area public health agencies on Thursday warned residents against a possible measles exposure and announced a forthcoming press conference to equip the public with preventative knowledge in the wake of a potential breakout.
The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department and Alameda County Public Health Department said a person tested positive for measles after returning to the Bay Area from international travel in May.
The traveler was not hospitalized and is isolating at their home, though the two public health agencies said there may have been exposures at three locations in the Bay Area.
Locations of exposures:
The times and places of possible measles exposures listed by the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department and Alameda County Public Health Department are:
- H Mart located at 1710 Oakland Road in San Jose, on May 21 between 7:15 p.m. and 9 p.m.
- Starbucks located at 35040 Newark Blvd. in Newark, on May 23 between 11:45 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Trader Joe’s located at 1306 Great Mall Pkwy. in Milpitas, on May 25 between 4:45 p.m. and 8 p.m.
The two public health agencies advised those who may have been exposed to monitor their own health for seven to 21 days after the day of potential exposure.
Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash which usually appears 10 to 21 days after exposure. The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department and Alameda County Public Health Department said it is very important for a person who is suffering symptoms to call a medical facility before visiting so that medical staff can take protective measures.
Equipping the public:
The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department and Alameda County Public Health Department held a press conference in San Jose on Friday to discuss prevention measures for measles, steps the public should take if they were exposed and information concerning measles vaccines.
Officials said anyone who is unvaccinated, pregnant, has unvaccinated young children, or is immunocompromised is at higher risk.
Measles is the most contagious airborne disease because you can catch it by just being in the same room.
"We know that the average person with measles can get up to 14 people sick, and you can imagine 14 times 14 times 14 spreads incredibly quickly," said Dr. Sarah Rudman, acting health officer and director of the public health department for Santa Clara County.
Measles is surging all over the world.
By the numbers:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 1,000 cases in the U.S. so far in 2025, 11 of which the state of California reported.
In 2024, there were only 285 confirmed cases nationwide.
Infectious disease specialist Dr. Peter Chin-Hong from UCSF said it’s because of vaccine hesitancy and lack of access.
"We fell off during the covid pandemic in terms of immunizing people and particularly completing immunization series because you had to be somewhere to get it," he said.
Medical experts say prevention is the best way to eliminate disease and the best way to prevent is through vaccination.
Rudman said the Bay Area has a high rate of vaccinated people building herd immunity.
"We have no reason to believe there are other measles cases at these locations, and therefore we have no reason to believe that going to these locations is any greater risk than an average day in our very well vaccinated communities," she said.
The Source: County of Santa Clara Public Health Department, Alameda County Public Health Department
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