If you have been keeping up with the news, then you have heard that there have been over 700 cases of measles across several states. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus has been spreading mostly in people who are unvaccinated.

How serious is contracting the measles? Two children have died in Texas and one adult in New Mexico. How contagious is measles? Very. As an airborne virus, it can spread when those infected breathe, sneeze or cough.

Is the measles virus here in California? Yes. The Los Angeles Public Health Department has reported five cases which appear to have come in through the Los Angeles airport.¹

What are the symptoms? Measles starts in the upper respiratory tract with runny nose, cough, watery eyes and high grade fever. It is followed by a rash that appears three to five days later. The rash starts on the face then spreads to neck, trunk, arms, legs and then the feet. Fevers can reach as high as 104 degrees.

While most can recover from measles, it can lead to pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and even death. There is no specific treatment for the disease, other than treating the symptoms and being prepared for possible complications.²

The best way to avoid the measles is with the MMR vaccine (measles-mumps-rubella). The CDC recommends all children get two doses of MMR vaccines starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at four through six years of age.³ Here are some interesting facts:

If you were born prior to 1957, you do not need a booster.
If vaccinated between 1957-1962, check with your doctor and have a titer drawn (a blood test that measures the concentration of antibodies in a sample).
If born between 1963-1967, you need a booster as the measles vaccine at this time was considered ineffective.
If born between 1968-1989, check with your doctor as you may or may not
need the booster.
If you were vaccinated after 1989, you do not need the booster.
If you received two doses, your vaccines are considered effective.⁴

With the ongoing influx and outflux of visitors to the Coachella Valley from other states and countries, protecting yourself from illness and disease is imperative. Make sure to ask your doctor if you should get an MMR booster. Please make sure to have your child’s vaccines up to date, as they are our most vulnerable population.

Jeanne Perafan is a board certified family nurse practitioner with Ruiz Family Physicians in La Quinta. She can be reached at (760) 564.9205.

References: 1) https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/health-wellness/measles-california/3651807/; 2) https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html; 3) https://www.cdc.gov/measles/vaccines/; 4) https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/02/21/nx-s1-5304458/measles-vaccine-booster-health