March 21, 2024 - Mariposa County Health & Human Services officials report that some people think of measles as just a little rash and fever that clears up in a few days, but measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years of age.

It is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people around them will also become infected if they are not protected.

Every year, measles is brought into the United States by unvaccinated travelers (mostly Americans and sometimes foreign visitors) who get measles while they are in other countries. The best protection against measles is measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. MMR vaccine provides long-lasting protection against all strains of measles.

For more questions about MMR vaccination for your children, please contact the Public Health Department at (209) 966-3689.

Source: Mariposa County Health & Human Services