Measles Outbreaks Strain California Health Departments

Local health agencies face funding cuts as they race to contain the spread of the highly contagious disease.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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California is fighting multiple measles outbreaks, with seven counties reporting a total of 21 cases so far this year. Health departments are working quickly to identify exposed individuals and prevent further spread, but they are doing so with fewer resources due to recent federal funding cuts. The outbreaks are happening at a time when public confidence in vaccines has been shaken by high-profile questioning of their safety and effectiveness.

Why it matters

Measles is the most contagious vaccine-preventable viral infection in the world, and containing outbreaks requires intensive efforts by public health agencies. However, California health departments have faced significant budget cuts, forcing them to close clinics and terminate programs. This makes it more challenging to rapidly respond to measles cases and effectively monitor exposed individuals.

The details

When a possible measles case is identified, health department staff must quickly process samples, interview the patient, and identify and monitor anyone who may have been exposed. This process is time-intensive and expensive, costing an estimated $231,000 for just the first three cases in Los Angeles County this year. Health departments are also confronting decreased public confidence in vaccines, which has been fueled by high-profile questioning of their safety and effectiveness.

  • In late January, a sick child visited a health clinic in Redding, California with measles symptoms that were later confirmed.
  • On February 19, just before the end of the 21-day incubation period, health officials confirmed a ninth measles case in Shasta County.
  • Since the start of 2023, 26 states have reported measles cases, including a massive outbreak in South Carolina with nearly 1,000 cases.

The players

Dr. Sharon Balter

Director of acute communicable disease control with Los Angeles County public health.

Dr. Erica Pan

California Public Health Officer.

Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong

Orange County public health officer.

Daniel Walker

Shasta County supervising epidemiologist.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services who has questioned the safety and effectiveness of vaccines.

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What they’re saying

“We must get on it right away. We can't say we'll wait until tomorrow.”

— Dr. Sharon Balter, Director of acute communicable disease control with Los Angeles County public health (Los Angeles Times)

“Everything including the outbreaks, the financial cuts, the questions from the federal government that are arising are making our work very difficult.”

— Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, Orange County public health officer (Orange County Register)

“It's a great time to get immunized, because you can't know when you're next going to be exposed...especially because we're in an outbreak situation.”

— Daniel Walker, Shasta County supervising epidemiologist (Redding Record Searchlight)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The resurgence of measles in California highlights the challenges facing public health departments as they work to contain highly contagious diseases with fewer resources. This underscores the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates and restoring funding for critical communicable disease prevention and control efforts.