Measles Cases in Santa Barbara and Ventura Linked to Same Mid-July International Flight

Santa Barbara and Ventura counties reported measles cases that health officials traced to a single international flight that arrived in mid-July, according to Ann Carlisle, director of Disease Control and Prevention for Santa Barbara County Public Health. Carlisle said more than 150 people in Santa Barbara may have been exposed and that both counties have completed initial contact-tracing efforts with the Centers for Disease Control and the California Department of Public Health.

"I can confirm that the Santa Barbara and the Ventura cases are related," Carlisle said on Wednesday.

The county identified and notified all potentially exposed individuals, emphasizing the importance of vaccination and quarantine for those unvaccinated or uncertain of their immunization status. Quarantine periods range from seven to 21 days after exposure, with most symptoms appearing by day 14. No new cases have been reported so far.

"We’re really lucky that our own Public Health Department lab has recently been able to do that measles test in-house," Carlisle added, noting that the lab gained testing capability earlier this year.

State health officials highlighted that nine out of ten unvaccinated people exposed to measles become ill and urged travelers to ensure they are vaccinated before international trips. Two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine provide about 97% protection.

Ventura County reported that the patient has recovered and no additional cases have emerged. The two counties' cases bring California's total measles count to 58, a figure that health authorities say does not indicate an outbreak.