Bay Area Measles Case Spurs Warnings of Possible Exposures at 3 Locations

A confirmed measles case in the Bay Area this month has health officials in Alameda and Santa Clara counties calling on the public to remain vigilant, saying it could make all the difference in stopping potential exposures.

The person tested positive for measles after returning from traveling internationally. The trip included passing through a U.S. airport “where the person might have been exposed to measles,” officials said.

People who are unvaccinated or unsure of their vaccination status and went to one of the same locations as that person — in San José, Milpitas and Newark — are most at risk of developing the disease, officials said.

“We have a very highly vaccinated population, which is why we expect to contain the spread of this disease if everyone pays attention to their own vaccination status, stays up to date with their vaccinations and seeks the care we recommend today,” Dr. Sarah Rudman, the acting public health officer and director at Santa Clara County’s Department of Public Health, said during an announcement on Friday.

The person who tested positive for measles went to the following locations in Alameda and Santa Clara counties:

• On May 21, between 7:15 p.m. and 9 p.m.: 1710 Oakland Rd., San José, CA 95131
• On May 23, between 11:45 a.m. and 2 p.m.: 35040 Newark Blvd., Newark, CA 94560
• On May 25, between 4:45 p.m. and 8 p.m.: 1306 Great Mall Pkwy., Milpitas, CA 95035

The businesses have posted notices to alert customers of the potential exposure, but Rudman and Dr. Kavita Trivedi, director of clinical guidance at the Alameda County Department of Public Health, said there is no risk in going to those locations now.

“We have no reason to believe there are other measles cases at these locations,” Rudman said. “And no reason to believe that going to these locations is of any greater risk than an average day in our very well vaccinated communities.”

Between 2020 to 2023, Santa Clara County kindergarteners had some of the highest vaccination rates in the state, according to the California Department of Public Health.

The case is the first Santa Clara County has had since a resident tested positive for measles in 2019, Rudman said. Other nonresidents who have tested positive have also traveled through the county.

Trivedi said Alameda County last had a confirmed measles case last year.

Across California, 11 measles cases have been confirmed in seven counties this year, in addition to the one in Alameda and Santa Clara. San Mateo is the only other Bay Area county with a case.

The most common symptoms of measles are fever, cough, rash, runny nose and red eyes. Symptoms can take between one to three weeks to appear after being exposed.

People who have an illness or take medications that weaken their immune system, those who are pregnant and infants are most at risk. Anyone in those groups who shows symptoms after a potential exposure should contact their health provider.

If planning on going to visit a health provider, officials said it’s important to call ahead to ensure the facility can protect against potential exposures.