Measles Cases Rise Sharply in California and Maryland

WHO:

Los Angeles Times - Dr. Muntu Davis, the L.A. County health officer, emphasized the importance of vaccination against measles.

Los Angeles Times - California Department of Public Health reported 52 measles cases in California.

WTOP - Maryland Department of Health confirmed two new measles cases involving Southern Maryland residents.

WHAT:

Los Angeles Times - California has reported 52 measles cases in the first 6½ months of the year, with 27 cases involving individuals ages 5 to 19 and 15 cases involving children under 5 years old.

WTOP - Maryland's total measles cases for the year reached 11, with the latest two cases confirmed involving Southern Maryland residents who traveled to an area with an active outbreak.

Los Angeles Times - Measles cases in California have doubled compared to the previous year, with 52 cases reported in the first 6½ months of the year, up from 25 in all of 2025.

WTOP - Maryland's total measles cases for the year reached 11, with five cases confirmed just a week prior.

Los Angeles Times - Four patients have been hospitalized due to measles in California this year.

Los Angeles Times - Nationally, 2,260 measles cases were reported as of mid-July, nearing last year's total of 2,289.

WHERE:

Los Angeles Times - The latest case in California involved a juvenile who had been living abroad and now resides in Orange County.

Los Angeles Times - Los Angeles International Airport was a site of potential measles exposure from travelers.

WTOP - Locations in Maryland where potential exposures occurred include J&R Feeds LLC in Mechanicsville, MedStar Health Urgent Care in Charlotte Hall, and MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital emergency room in Leonardtown.

WHEN:

Los Angeles Times - The last day to monitor for symptoms after exposure to the infected passenger from the Delta flight is August 6.

Los Angeles Times - The juvenile who was contagious with measles arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Delta Air Lines Flight 614 from Cancún on July 16 at 9:45 p.m.

WTOP - Possible exposure times in Maryland include J&R Feeds from July 16 to July 21, MedStar Health Urgent Care on July 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., and MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital on July 21 from 11 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Los Angeles Times - The last day to monitor for symptoms after exposure to the infected passenger is August 6.

WHY:

Los Angeles Times - The rise in measles cases is attributed to a significant number of unvaccinated individuals, with 49 of the 52 cases being unvaccinated or having an unknown vaccination status.

WTOP - The new cases in Maryland are linked to recent travel to areas experiencing active outbreaks.

HOW:

Los Angeles Times - Health officials are contacting individuals who may have been exposed to the infectious passengers at Los Angeles International Airport, including those who were in the international terminal around Gate 206 and the baggage claim area.

Los Angeles Times - Health officials are contacting individuals who may have been exposed to the infected passengers at Los Angeles International Airport.

WTOP - Health officials are notifying individuals who may have come into contact with the infected residents in Maryland.

(UPDATED July 23, 2026 23:18 UTC)

Health officials are urging the importance of vaccination against measles, as California has reported 52 cases in the first half of the year, with a concerning number of those cases involving unvaccinated individuals. In Maryland, the total measles cases have reached 11, with the latest infections linked to residents who traveled to an area experiencing an outbreak. As the situation develops, the last day to monitor for symptoms after exposure to an infected passenger from a Delta flight is August 6, and health officials are actively reaching out to those who may have been exposed at Los Angeles International Airport.

(UPDATED July 23, 2026 22:23 UTC)

California is seeing a concerning rise in measles cases, with the California Department of Public Health reporting 52 cases so far this year, doubling the total from 2025. Meanwhile, Maryland has confirmed two new cases, bringing its total to 11 for the year, with potential exposure sites including J&R Feeds in Mechanicsville and MedStar Health Urgent Care in Charlotte Hall. Health officials in both states are actively reaching out to individuals who may have been exposed, as the last day to monitor for symptoms after contact with the infected passenger from Los Angeles International Airport is August 6.