Second Measles Case Lands at LAX

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) announced yesterday that it is investigating a new confirmed case of measles in an individual who recently returned from international travel.

This case, the second reported in the county as of February 1, 2026, involves a traveler who was infectious while passing through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and visiting at least one other public location.

LACDPH officials are warning that anyone present in Terminal B from 10:45 p.m. on January 26 to 1 a.m. on January 27 may have been exposed to the highly contagious virus.

In collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local health departments are notifying passengers seated near the traveler on the international flight. An additional potential exposure site at Dunkin' Donuts, 22020 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91364, on January 30, 2026, from 3 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

California has reported several cases so far in 2026, including this one in Los Angeles County and related exposures in neighboring Orange County, where the traveler also visited popular locations such as Disneyland.

"Measles is a serious respiratory disease that spreads easily through the air and on surfaces, particularly among people who are not already protected against it," said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer, in a recent press release.

"A person can spread the illness to others before symptoms appear, and it can take 7 to 21 days for symptoms to show up after exposure. Measles can lead to severe disease in young children and vulnerable adults."

"As LA County residents begin to travel this summer, and with measles cases increasing among those who have traveled recently, we remind everyone that the best way to protect yourself and your family from infection is through the highly effective measles vaccine."

LACDPH says anyone who believes they may have been exposed should consult a healthcare provider promptly and inform them of their potential exposure before any in-person visit to avoid further spread in medical settings.

These LAX cases come amid a significant national rise in measles cases.

As of late January 2026, the CDC reported 588 confirmed cases in the United States, marking the highest January total since the country declared measles eliminated in 2000. Current outbreaks have been identified in South Carolina and Utah.

In 2025, the U.S. recorded 2,242 cases, one of the highest annual totals in decades.

As of February 2026, the CDC continues publishing a global measles outbreak Travel Health Notice, alerting international travelers to this health risk. To locate a travel vaccine clinic, visit Vax-Before-Travel.com.