Kern County confirms first measles cases in 20 years, linked to travel exposure
byMichelle Roldan, Eyewitness News
Thu, August 6, 2026 at 10:23 PM
UpdatedThu, August 6, 2026 at 10:34 PM
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Matt Caldwell, left, a Lubbock Fire Department official, administers a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine to Clair May, 61, at the Lubbock Health Department, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Mary Conlon)
BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) —Kern Countyhas confirmed its first measles cases in more than 20 years, with public health officials saying two cases are linked to a travel-related exposure
FILE: In this handout from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a thin-section transmission electron micrograph (TEM) reveales the ultrastructural appearance of a single virus particle, or “virion”, of measles virus. in this undated image. (Photo by CDC via Getty Images)
The cases are the county’s first confirmed measles infections since 2004. Kern County Public Health said the cases are not isolated, but instead reflect a larger national outbreak
“We have had cases of measles who have traveled through our community, and have created exposures in our community in the past, but have been fortunate enough that those have not resulted in confirmed cases in the past. And so this is part of the reason why it’s a little bit of big news,” said Kimberly Hernandez with Kern County Public Health
Hernandez said the U.S. has seen more than 2,000 cases in each of the last two years, with travel and lower vaccination rates helping drive outbreaks
FILE – A person with a rash or measles.{ } (Photo: AdobeStock)
“Our immunization rates are not as, um, as robust, as they had been sort of pre-pandemic. We’re still recovering as a, um, you know, as an entire nation of getting kids up to date, um, and making sure adults stay up to date on their vaccinations, including MMR,” Hernandez said
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses and can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area, according to public health officials. Those most at risk include young children, older adults and people who are immunocompromised
Hernandez said key symptoms to watch for include the “three C’s”: cough, coryza — or a runny nose — and conjunctivitis, or red, watery eyes. She said the most telltale sign of measles is a rash
“It usually starts at your hairline, on your head, and your face, and then the rash travels downward to your trunk, to your extremities, and then it also sort of disappears in that same way,” Hernandez said
Matt Caldwell, left, a Lubbock Fire Department official, administers a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine to Clair May, 61, at the Lubbock Health Department, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Mary Conlon)
Health officials said the best way to prevent serious illness is to check immunization records and make sure both doses of the MMR vaccine have been received
“Vaccination is very good at preventing infection, but it can also help mitigate infection. So even if you do get sick, it tends to be a much milder course,” Hernandez said
Hernandez said anyone experiencing possible measles symptoms should call their doctor before arriving so health care facilities can take precautions to help prevent exposing others
