Health officials have issued a public health alert for potential measles exposure at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and two San Jose grocery stores. An adult from Santa Clara County who was infectious with the highly contagious disease passed through these locations earlier this week.
Airport and Store Exposure
The individual traveled through SFO International Terminal on Thursday morning between 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., including passport control, customs, and baggage claim areas. Later that evening, between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., the same person visited a Trader Joe’s and the International Halal Market in San Jose.
Measles is known as one of the world’s most infectious diseases. Health authorities are warning that individuals who were present at these locations during the specified times may have been exposed. Symptoms, which can include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash, typically appear seven to 10 days after exposure but can take up to three weeks.
Health officials are strongly urging unvaccinated individuals who may have been exposed to quarantine, avoid large gatherings, and monitor for any signs of illness. Pregnant women, infants, immunocompromised individuals, and those who are unvaccinated are advised to seek immediate medical guidance if exposure is suspected.
Anyone developing symptoms is also advised to contact a healthcare provider by phone before visiting a clinic or hospital to prevent further transmission.
California Measles Cases Rise
This exposure alert comes as California is experiencing its highest annual number of measles cases in seven years. As of June 8, the state has confirmed 49 cases, which is nearly double the total for all of 2025 and the highest count since 2019, when 73 cases were reported.
State data indicates that 94% of the confirmed cases involve unvaccinated individuals. More than 80% of these cases are in people under the age of 19. This trend highlights ongoing immunity gaps despite generally high vaccination coverage in the Bay Area.
Dr. Sarah Rudman, Santa Clara County’s health officer, emphasized the critical role of vaccination in preventing widespread outbreaks. She stated that vaccination remains the most effective protection against measles.
County officials are collaborating with the California Department of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct contact tracing related to the exposure sites. Santa Clara County has issued similar warnings in previous years, noting that measles continues to reappear in California due to international travel and localized areas with lower vaccination rates.
Nationally, a broader resurgence of measles has also been reported, including a significant outbreak in West Texas during 2025 that resulted in over 750 cases, numerous hospitalizations, and two deaths among unvaccinated patients.
Steve Lopez is the Editorial Page Editor for News Raise. He covers Health. He has won more than a dozen national journalism awards for his reporting and column writing at seven newspapers and four news magazines.
