PLACER COUNTY

Placer County Public Health is reporting three measles cases, all teenagers in a single family linked through household exposure. An additional fourth case is suspected, also a family member. They are believed to have been exposed initially through an extended family member, not a Placer County resident, who had traveled to South Carolina, where a large measles outbreak is ongoing. 

Vaccination status for all was unable to be independently confirmed, and all are recovering at home. The only child enrolled in school was the suspect case and was not in attendance during the suspected infectious period, which occurred during a scheduled break. There were no school exposures and no public exposure risks reported for this localized outbreak.   

Measles is an extremely contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can linger in shared spaces for up to two hours after the person has left. If others breathe in that air or touch a contaminated surface and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth, they can become infected. 

Up to 90% of people without immunity who are exposed to measles will become ill. 

Future updates on this outbreak, if any, would be posted to the Public Health website.

~ Placer County Public Health press release