Sacramento-area child contracts measles, the second confirmed local case this year
Another measles case has been confirmed in the Sacramento area.
Dr. Olivia Kasirye, the Sacramento County public health officer, said Monday that an unvaccinated child who recently returned from international travel was diagnosed with the highly contagious disease.
The announcement at a morning press conference comes at a time when national measles trends are rising, with over 1,000 reported cases in 2025, mostly in Texas and New Mexico.
Kasirye said the new confirmed case is one of 14 in California so far this year and that 10 of those involved international travel. A case in West Sacramento, the first for this region this year, was announced earlier this month.
In the new case, the patient developed measles symptoms after returning to the United States and was treated at Mercy San Juan Medical Center’s emergency department on June 10. The hospital followed the appropriate health protocol and contacted health officials once measles was suspected, Kasirye said.
Other individuals present at the medical center between 5:11 p.m. and 9:45 p.m., when the patient was present, may have been exposed. The hospital is working with Sacramento County Public Health to identify and alert all at-risk individuals.
Any individual present at the health care facility at the same date and time should call 916-875-5881. A trained team is available to determine any potential contamination risk and whether an MMR vaccination for measles, mumps and rubella is required.
The patient is currently recovering at home and does not pose a threat to the general public.
Kasirye noted that while measles is extremely contagious, vaccination rates both statewide and countywide are at about the 95% mark, which is the threshold needed to protect the community. She encouraged people to check on their vaccination status.
“This case is consistent with the current trend of rising measles across the nation, the majority of which have been linked to unvaccinated individuals and also international travel,” Kasirye said. “We know that measles is preventable.”
As an ongoing practice, the Sacramento Area Sewer District collects wastewater samples checking for various viral markers including measles. Measles was detected between May 20–24 and June 2–3, according to a SCPH press release. Kasirye said SCPH believes this case was linked to those positive samples but cannot confirm a direct link.
“This case shows how easily measles can re-enter our community through international travel,” Kasirye said. “Verifying your vaccination status is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and those around you. When more people are vaccinated, we all benefit from a healthier, more protected community.”
If presenting with measles symptoms, individuals are encouraged to stay home and isolate, while checking with their health care providers for guidance. Infants, young children and immunocompromised individuals are especially at risk.
There are no additional confirmed or suspected cases at this time, the SCPH said.
For more information regarding vaccinations, concerned individuals may visit sacvax.org.
This story was originally published June 16, 2025 at 12:56 PM.
