SLO County confirms first measles case since 2018

By Atascadero News · Fri Dec 19 2025

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — The San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department has confirmed a case of measles in a local child, marking the county’s first measles case since 2018. Health officials said the risk of local transmission is low and no additional cases have been identified at this time.

Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can remain airborne for up to an hour. Symptoms typically appear seven to 21 days after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Individuals are contagious for about nine days, including four days before and after the rash appears.

Public health officials advise anyone experiencing symptoms to stay home and contact their healthcare provider before visiting a medical facility. Complications from measles can be severe, particularly for infants, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

The infected individual recently traveled internationally, which increases exposure risk.