The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is working with counties and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on measles exposures related to passenger who traveled by train and bus and was hospitalized.
What You Need to Know: An unvaccinated passenger who traveled across the United States on Amtrak, including through California, traveled by trains and thruway buses with transfers in at least six California counties (Alameda, Butte, Kern, Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Joaquin). CDPH is working with federal partners and local health officials to notify people who may have been exposed. With this news, and with measles spreading in other parts of the United States and the world, CDPH urges Californians to ensure they are fully vaccinated against measles.
SACRAMENTO – CDPH is urging Californians to get vaccinated against measles after a passenger who traveled on multiple trains and thruway buses with transfers in multiple California counties was hospitalized with a case of measles. CDPH is working with federal government partners and with county health officials to notify passengers and other people who may have been exposed.
“This case, along with previous measles outbreaks in California this year, serve as reminders of the importance of vaccination against measles. Measles is one of the most contagious infections that can lead to severe life-long consequences including permanent brain damage and can also be fatal, especially for children,” said Dr. Rita Nguyen, Assistant State Public Health Officer. “The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and provides long-lasting protection against measles. Vaccination protects both our own families and those who are too young to be fully vaccinated.”
The visitor arrived in California via Amtrak train to Los Angeles on September 10, 2026.
| Train | Route | Departure Date
Time* |
Arrival
Date Time* |
Arrival
Station Address |
| 3 | Chicago → Los Angeles | 9/10
1:30 p.m. |
9/12
8:12 a.m. |
Los Angeles Union Station, 800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 |
| 5717 | Los Angeles → Bakersfield | 9/12
10:55 a.m. |
9/12
1:45 p.m. |
Bakersfield Station, 601 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301 |
| 717 | Bakersfield → Stockton | 9/12
2:02 p.m. |
9/12
6:29 p.m. |
Stockton–San Joaquin St Station, 735 S San Joaquin St, Stockton, CA 95203 |
| 3717 | Stockton → Oroville | 9/12
6:35 p.m. |
9/12
9:30 p.m. |
Oroville Bus/Thruway Stop, 2525 Feather River Blvd, Oroville, CA 95965 |
| 3718 | Oroville → Sacramento | 9/13
4:00 p.m. |
9/13
6:05 p.m. |
Sacramento Valley Station, 401 I St, Sacramento, CA 95814 |
| 749 | Sacramento → Emeryville | 9/13
6:53 p.m. |
9/13
8:36 p.m. |
Emeryville Station, 5885 Horton St, Emeryville, CA 94608 |
| 6 | Emeryville → Denver | 9/14
8:25 a.m. |
9/15
6:59 p.m. |
Emeryville Station, 5885 Horton St, Emeryville, CA 94608; |
*Scheduled departure and arrival times (may differ from actual)
Individuals who were passengers on these trains or buses or who were at the stations on these days may have been exposed to measles.
What to do if you were exposed to or have symptoms of measles
Check your immunity status: Two doses of MMR vaccine are needed for full immunization. People who are not fully immunized against measles or are unsure of their immunity status, should contact a health care provider about receiving the MMR vaccine.
If you are not immunized and you were exposed 7 or fewer days ago: Talk to your healthcare provider about vaccination or immune globulin for prevention. Immune globulin is recommended for certain individuals, such as infants under 12 months, pregnant people without immunity or those with weakened immune systems.
If you are not immunized and you were exposed between 7 and 21 days ago: Non-immune individuals should stay home and limit interactions with others for 21 days following exposure.
Monitor for symptoms: Watch for fever and/or an unexplained rash from 7 to 21 days after exposure. If symptoms develop, call your healthcare provider immediately for guidance.
If you suspect measles: Call your medical provider before visiting any health care facility to avoid exposing others.
Measles in California in 2026
As of September 14, 2026, a total of 59 measles cases have been reported in 13 counties statewide. In 94 percent of cases, patients were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status.
Despite the high statewide rate, vaccine coverage varies across the state. Measles can spread easily in communities with lower vaccine coverage.
To continue achieving this level of protection from measles and other preventable diseases, CDPH and the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) recently endorsed the 2026 American Academy of Pediatrics Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule, ensuring all Californians receive access to evidence-based guidance on life-saving vaccines. For more information on California’s immunization guidance, visit the CDPH Vaccines for All web page.
Get Vaccinated
The MMR vaccine provides the best protection against disease and serious illness. It is important Californians check to see that they and their family members are up to date as the number of measles cases has increased. Families can check their vaccination status with the California Digital Vaccine Record (DVR) and schedule a vaccine appointment by visiting MyTurn.ca.gov, or by contacting their local pharmacy or health care provider. MMR vaccines are covered for most people through their health insurance plans, including Medi-Cal and regular healthcare providers. People having difficulty obtaining vaccines can contact their healthcare provider or local health department for help finding a place to get immunized.
It’s important that families are up to date on all vaccines before traveling, including international travel and travel to domestic areas where there are measles outbreaks. It is also important to be up to date before visiting places or events where there are many people from other countries or regions of the United States, such as large sporting events, theme parks or airports.
Before traveling internationally, everyone 12 months and older should receive two MMR doses, and babies 6 to 11 months are recommended to get one dose of MMR vaccine. Families with children traveling to regions in the United States with ongoing outbreaks should consult with a health care provider about following immunization recommendations for international travel.
About Measles
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. Unvaccinated individuals, particularly young children and pregnant people, face the highest risk of severe illness and even death. Roughly 90 percent of those unvaccinated and exposed to measles will contract the disease. Symptoms include a fever that lasts a couple of days followed by a cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis (pink eye) and rash. Those infected can spread measles about four days before their rash starts to four days afterwards. In 2025, 11 percent of reported measles patients in the United States were hospitalized.
Measles continues to circulate in many countries around the world and in certain areas of the United States. Due to California’s currently high levels of immunization, the state is less likely to see sustained transmissions as has been seen in other states in recent years. However, transmission of measles is still possible, particularly in communities with lower immunization coverage.
Additional Resources: For updated measles activity in California, visit the CDPH Measles web page. CDPH’s Measles Toolkit also provides resources in multiple languages.