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2026 Local Measles Situation

Page originially published 03/20/2026.

If you think you have been exposed to someone with measles, call your doctor as soon as possible and let them know you have been exposed to someone who has measles. Your doctor can make special arrangements to evaluate you in order to avoid potentially exposing others.

For more information about measles, other vaccine-preventable diseases, and the shots that protect against them, visit www.sdiz.org. If you need additional information, please call the County of San Diego Immunization Unit at (866) 358-2966 or send an email.

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Updates

March 18, 2026

An unvaccinated out of state adult who later tested positive for measles visited the emergency department during their infectious period. County public health officials are notifying community members who may have been potentially exposed to measles at the following times and locations:   

  • Sharp Memorial Hospital Emergency Department (7901 Frost St, San Diego, CA 92123)
    • 3/11/2026 from 11:22 a.m. and 4:35 p.m.

County staff are working closely with Sharp Memorial Hospital to identify and notify patients and employees who may have been exposed and assess their risk of developing measles. Anyone who received care or accompanied someone at the Sharp Memorial Hospital Emergency Department is urged to contact County Public Health Services at (866) 358-2966 as soon as possible.

Measles typically develops seven to 21 days after exposure. Early symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. A red rash usually appears one to four days after early symptoms start.   

  • A person is considered contagious four days before and four days after the rash appears.
  • Infants under 12 months, unvaccinated children and adults, and people with weakened immune systems are at high risk of severe illness.
  • Measles can cause common complications, such as ear infections and diarrhea. It can also cause serious complications, such as pneumonia (infection of the lungs), encephalitis (swelling of the brain, and in very rare cases, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE).   

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Call the Immunization Unit at (866) 358-2966, or send an email, for more information.