Shasta County Confirms First Measles Case of 2026 and Lists Exposure Sites

Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency confirmed the county's first measles case of 2026, prompting a public health response to identify and notify those who may have been exposed at several local sites.

The agency announced that the patient is currently in isolation, and public health staff are reaching out to individuals who might have come into contact with the virus during the patient’s eight-day contagious period. The investigation has focused on locations where the patient was present while infectious.

Five initial exposure sites were identified by health officials. These included Osaka Sushi on January 23, Cross Point Church during a basketball game on January 24, Costco on the evening of January 24, and Churn Creek Health Care Clinic on January 28. Each site was associated with specific time frames when potential exposure could have occurred.

A sixth location, Ninja Coalition children’s gym at 900 Dana Drive, was later added to the list of exposure sites. The agency stated that individuals who visited this gym on January 23 between 2:30 and 5:20 p.m. may have been exposed to measles.

What the numbers show

• 1 confirmed measles case in Shasta County in 2026
• 6 exposure sites identified between January 23 and January 28
• 8-day contagious period for the patient

The public health agency has urged anyone who was present at any of the identified locations during the specified times to monitor for symptoms of measles. The agency also advised these individuals to ensure their MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination is current.

Measles is recognized as highly contagious, with individuals capable of spreading the virus for eight days during the infectious period. This characteristic has prompted a comprehensive response from public health staff to limit further transmission.

Efforts by the health department include direct outreach to potentially exposed individuals and ongoing public communications about the importance of vaccination and symptom awareness. The agency continues to update the public as new information becomes available regarding exposure sites.

Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency remains the primary source of updates and guidance for residents regarding this incident. The agency has provided detailed instructions for those who may have been affected and continues to monitor the situation closely.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.