Santa Clara County public health officials are urging unvaccinated individuals to quarantine after a person with an infectious case of measles is believed to have traveled through San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and visited two businesses in San Jose this week.
The individual visited SFO's international terminal, including passport control, customs, and the baggage claim area, on Thursday between 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Later that evening, between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., the same person visited a Trader Joe's at 635 Coleman Avenue and an International Halal Market at 960 E. Santa Clara Street, both in San Jose. The health department is withholding identifying details due to medical privacy concerns.
Individuals who were present at these locations during the specified times may be at risk of developing measles seven to 10 days after exposure. The health department emphasized that unvaccinated individuals traveling or attending large gatherings are at an increased risk if exposed. Dr. Sarah Rudman, Santa Clara County's Health Officer, noted that strong community immunity in the Bay Area, due to high vaccination rates and past exposure, helps mitigate spread, but stressed that two doses of the MMR or MMRV vaccine are the most effective protection against the virus.
The public health department advises individuals who believe they may have been exposed to measles to first verify their vaccination status through immunization records. They should monitor for symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, rash, or red eyes for one to three weeks post-exposure. If symptoms develop, individuals are instructed to contact their healthcare provider or facility ahead of their visit, informing them of potential measles exposure. Those who are pregnant, infants, unvaccinated, or immunocompromised should seek immediate medical consultation if exposed.
Measles is highly contagious and spreads rapidly, prompting the health department to advise against attending large gatherings for those potentially exposed. The department is collaborating with the California Department of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for contact tracing efforts. As of June 8, California had reported 49 confirmed measles cases, with 94% of those cases occurring in unvaccinated individuals, predominantly under the age of 19.
