CDPH Says Measles Outbreak Is Over

The California Department of Public Health has announced that the outbreak of measles that began late last fall has concluded, but warned that cases could flare anew.

The agency said no new cases had been detected for six weeks straight, a time period that includes two consecutive incubation periods for the disease.

“We are pleased this outbreak is over, but caution that measles can be reintroduced in California at any time when an infected person brings it to the state,” said CDPH Director Karen Smith, M.D. “The best defense for protection against the highly infectious measles is vaccination.”

A total of 131 cases of measles were reported in California in connection with the outbreak, which initially centered on the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. A total of 42 cases were linked to visitors who contracted measles while visiting. Another 45 cases were connected to those visitors who spread measles after their visit was complete. Definitive links to 44 other cases were not found.

Public health officials blamed the outbreak in part on the importation of the B3 strain of measles being imported into California from an unknown source, and a relatively low immunization rate in recent years against the disease. Some schools in the state had immunization rates at or below 50%, officials. A bill to make immunization mandatory is now in the Legislature.