SACRAMENTO - In the first half of 2026, California measles cases across age groups have doubled compared to last year, the Los Angeles Times reported.

So far this year, the state has confirmed 52 cases. Many of the cases have been among children or young adults. Twenty-seven were among children between ages 5 and 19, and 15 cases were among children under the age of 5, the Times reported.

At the current rate, California would pass its record high from 2015, when there were 125 cases. According to the Times, 49 of this year’s patients were unvaccinated.

According to the Center for Disease Control, most cases are tied to an outbreak. There have been 34 new outbreaks reported just this year, the paper reported.

Health officials are encouraging parents to plan to update their children’s vaccines — especially with the start of the school year approaching.

“The rise in measles cases nationally is a reminder that we cannot let our guard down against serious and highly contagious diseases,” said Susan Philip, a San Francisco health officer, in a statement to the Times. (Source: EdSource)

Story Date: July 23, 2026