Measles Returns to Napa County After 14 Years: Vaccination Urged Amid Bay Area Outbreaks
Measles Returns to Napa County After 14 Years
Napa County health officials confirmed the region's first measles case since 2012 this week, involving an unvaccinated child who contracted the virus while traveling to South Carolina. The announcement marks a significant public health concern as measles outbreaks surge across the country. This case represents the Bay Area's third confirmed measles infection in 2026, following two cases in San Mateo County earlier this month.
Understanding the Transmission Risk
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that spreads through the air and can remain viable on surfaces for up to two hours. The infected child exhibited typical symptoms including fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a characteristic rash. County health officials have contacted all exposed individuals and confirmed no current public health threat to the general population.
Vaccination Protection Remains Critical
Napa County's kindergarten MMR vaccination rate stands at 99%, providing strong community protection. Health officials urge unvaccinated individuals to receive the MMR vaccine, which offers 97% efficacy and lifelong immunity after two doses. The safe, proven vaccine remains the best defense against this dangerous illness.
```About the Organizations Mentioned
Napa County health officials
**Napa County Public Health**, operating under the county's **Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA)**, safeguards community well-being through vital services like disease surveillance, immunizations, emergency medical response, and home visiting programs[2][4][8]. As the backbone of initiatives such as **Live Healthy Napa County (LHNC)**—a public-private partnership tackling housing, transportation, and social determinants of health—it drives equity-focused strategies via the 2019-2024 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP)[3][8]. Established within Napa County's governmental framework, Public Health has evolved to address pressing needs in this wine-country hub, blending traditional epidemiology with innovative collaborations involving healthcare providers, nonprofits, and local government[3]. Key services span communicable disease investigations, behavioral health navigation, and support for older adults, Medi-Cal, food assistance, and housing—streamlined through system navigators at 707-253-4963[4]. **Achievements** shine in crisis response and planning: during the COVID-19 era, outgoing officer **Dr. Karen Relucio** led testing, case investigations, and contact tracing, earning supervisors' honors in 2022 for her pivotal role[5]. LHNC's CHA/CHIP efforts since 2013 have prioritized health inequities, fostering overlaps with groups like the Healthy Aging Population Initiative[3]. Currently, **Dr. Christine Wu, MD, MPH**, heads the division from 2751 Napa Valley Corporate Dr., Building B, Napa, CA 94558 (707-253-4566), listed in California's health officer directory[1]. Operating Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., it emphasizes data-driven, community-led solutions amid ongoing challenges like post-pandemic recovery[2][4]. **Notable aspects** for business-tech audiences include tech-enabled tools like HHSA's Open Data portal and mobile BE WELL services, enhancing servic
