Public health officials confirmed a positive measles case in Santa Barbara County on Monday, the first local case since 2019. 

The case appears to be related to a county resident who traveled internationally, Health Department officials said on Tuesday. 

“County Health is actively investigating and coordinating with local healthcare providers and potential exposure to prevent further transmission,” they said. 

Additional information about the positive case was not available. 

County Health officials also released information about measles infections and prevention measures, including vaccination. 

“Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room. Those fully vaccinated have very low risk of infection. People who are not fully vaccinated with two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine, especially young children and pregnant people, are at the highest risk of infection,” officials said. 

People with weakened immune systems are also at higher risk of infection, regardless of vaccination status, they said. 

More information from County Health: 

Measles Symptoms

A person with measles is contagious from four days before the rash appears and four days after it disappears. Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days (up to 21 days) after exposure and include:

• Initially cough, runny nose, and red/watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Rash typically appears 3-5 days after the first symptoms, starting on the face, hairline and neck, spreading down to the trunk, arms and legs.
• High fever (may spike above 104 degrees when the rash appears).

What To Do If You Were Exposed

• Check your vaccination records. Review vaccination records through your online Digital Vaccine Record to ensure you and your family are up to date on the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses of MMR vaccine provide strong long-lasting protection against measles.
• Watch for symptoms. Monitor yourself for illness with fever and/or unexplained rash from 7 days to 21 days after an exposure.
• Notify a health care provider if you are at high risk. If you are pregnant, an infant under 12 months of age, you have a weakened immune system, and/or you are unvaccinated, contact and notify your health care provider for guidance and next steps as soon as possible if you believe you were exposed.

If Someone at Home Develops Measles Symptoms:

• Keep them isolated from other household members who are not sick, especially unvaccinated household members.
• Stay home and do not attend work, school, or public events.
• Call your health care provider immediately to let them know someone in your home may be sick with measles. Do not enter a healthcare facility before calling and notifying them of your measles exposure and symptoms.

General Recommendations for the Public

• Make sure you and your family are up to date on the MMR vaccine. Two doses are 97% effective at preventing measles. Vaccination records can typically be found through your healthcare provider, your school immunization records, or the California Digital Vaccine Record (DVR).
• If you plan to travel, check your MMR vaccination status. Infants aged 6-11 months traveling internationally may receive an early dose of MMR vaccine; talk with your pediatrician.
• Schedule a vaccine appointment by contacting your local pharmacy or health care provider. MMR vaccines are covered for most people through health insurance plans, including Medi-Cal.
• Call ahead before visiting a medical office if you suspect measles, so the facility can prepare to prevent spreading the virus to others in the waiting area.

Residents can contact the County Health’s Disease Control Office at 805.681.5280 for guidance. For more information, click here.