Measles Outbreak Contained in Vaccine-Skeptical California County
In late January, Shasta County, California, identified its first local measles case, prompting a rapid response by the county’s public health department under public health officer James Mu. Over the following two and a half months, the department traced the steps of nine people sickened with measles, all unvaccinated or of unknown vaccination status, and contacted more than 600 people potentially exposed at locations including Costco, a sushi restaurant, sporting events, a school, and a healthcare clinic. The outbreak was declared over in mid-April, and infectious disease experts cited the response as a potential model for other communities. The county, known for vaccine skepticism and past opposition to covid mandates, deployed nurses, epidemiologists, and community partners to conduct nonjudgmental conversations with exposed residents. The California Department of Public Health assisted with case investigation and used a covid-era phone system for symptom monitoring. However, some community members criticized Mu for not emphasizing vaccination in public messaging before the outbreak.
What’s reported
Shasta County identified its first measles case in late January.
Nine people were sickened; all were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status.
The public health department contacted more than 600 people potentially exposed.
The outbreak was declared over after two and a half months.
The county’s previous public health officer, Karen Ramstrom, was fired in May 2022 after pushback over enforcing state covid rules.
The California Department of Public Health assisted with case investigation and used the CalCONNECT automated monitoring system.
Some community members, including Steve Kahn, said Mu should have advised for vaccines earlier.
Key figures
James Mu, Shasta County public health officer
Peter Chin-Hong, infectious disease specialist at University of California-San Francisco
Daniel Walker, Shasta County supervising epidemiologist
Erika Piper, head of Redding Christian School in Palo Cedro
Sharayne Loomis, supervising public health nurse in Shasta County
Steve Kahn, community member who criticized Mu
Karen Ramstrom, former Shasta County public health officer
Erica Pan, director of the California Department of Public Health
Sources: kffhealthnews.org
