U.S. measles cases reach highest level in decades as Fresno County urges vaccinations

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The United States has surpassed 2,700 confirmed measles cases this year, marking the highest number of infections reported since 1991, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health officials say the total is expected to continue rising.

As the nationwide outbreak grows, Fresno County health officials are encouraging residents to ensure their vaccinations are up to date and to be aware of the symptoms associated with the highly contagious disease.

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads from person-to-person.

"This virus can be transmitted through sneezing, talking or having a close contact with an individual that is that has measles," said Leticia Berber, a health educator with the Fresno County Department of Public Health.

According to Berber, Fresno County recorded two measles cases in 2025.

"These individuals were in contact with somebody who was sick with measles because this individual traveled out of the country and came back sick, and these two individuals were not vaccinated or not up to date with their vaccines," Berber said.

Fresno County has not identified any local measles cases so far this year, Berber said, but health officials continue monitoring the situation amid the national outbreak.

Health officials say the two-dose measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine offers the best protection against measles.

"This vaccine is given to children at 12 months of age and between four and six years of age. That means that this vaccine is given during physical exams. If you are over six years of age, you should have the MMR vaccine because it's required for school," Berber said.

Berber urged parents to review their children's vaccination records and make sure they have received the vaccine. She said the vaccine is more than 90% effective.

"When it's in the nineties, that means that you can still get measles. But the symptoms are very, very mild to the point where you won't have any complications, you won't be hospitalized and you can prevent death," Berber said.

Residents can receive the MMR vaccine through their physician's office or at public health department clinics. Those who have lost their vaccination records can contact the local health department for assistance.

"CAIR, which is the California Immunization Record System, is where we keep all of our immunizations on their statewide side. If you ever need a record that you lost because you moved, you can always come to the health department and we provide you with that record," Berber said.

County health officials said checking vaccination records and staying current on recommended immunizations remain key steps residents can take to protect themselves and their families from measles.

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