Infant with measles marks San Francisco's first case since 2019

Everyone in the infant's household is vaccinated, and health officials are notifying close contacts to prevent spread.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:26pm by

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The San Francisco Department of Public Health has announced a confirmed case of measles in an unvaccinated infant, the city's first reported measles case since 2019. The infant was exposed to measles while traveling internationally and is now recovering at home. Health officials are reaching out to close contacts to prevent the spread of the virus.

Why it matters

Measles is one of the most infectious diseases in the world, and outbreaks can have serious public health consequences, especially for unvaccinated individuals. This case highlights the importance of vaccination and the need for vigilance in monitoring and containing the spread of measles, particularly as travel resumes following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The details

The infant, who is unvaccinated, was exposed to measles while traveling internationally and became infectious after returning to San Francisco. Everyone who lives with the infant reported being vaccinated, and the city Department of Public Health is reaching out to other close contacts in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus. Measles spreads easily through the air when someone infectious breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes, and can cause serious complications and even death.

  • The measles case was confirmed on Monday evening, April 15, 2026.

The players

San Francisco Department of Public Health

The local public health agency responsible for monitoring and responding to infectious disease outbreaks in San Francisco.

Dr. Susan Philip

The San Francisco Health Officer who emphasized the importance of the MMR vaccine in preventing the spread of measles.

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What they’re saying

“It is incredibly important to get the MMR vaccine, as measles is one of the most infectious diseases in the world. If you and your family are traveling internationally, make sure everyone is up to date with the MMR vaccine and is aware of the symptoms of measles.”

— Dr. Susan Philip, San Francisco Health Officer

What’s next

The San Francisco Department of Public Health is continuing to monitor the situation and notify close contacts of the infected infant to prevent further spread of the virus.

The takeaway

This measles case serves as a reminder of the importance of vaccination, especially for those traveling internationally, in order to protect vulnerable populations and maintain public health. It also highlights the ongoing need for vigilance and swift response from local health authorities to contain infectious disease outbreaks.