Approximately 150 agricultural workers who recently arrived in California's Central Valley from Arizona are being monitored for measles. The workers are currently in Fresno, Madera, and Merced counties. Health officials stated they were exposed to the highly contagious viral infection due to a significant measles outbreak in the Arizona region they departed.

Officials from the Arizona Department of Health Services and the three California counties are actively monitoring the workers for any signs of the disease. Public health measures will be implemented as needed. Thus far, no cases of measles have been reported among these workers. The Fresno County Health Department has indicated that the risk to the general population is currently low, but the county is preparing advisories and necessary precautions.

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Health agencies are advising individuals experiencing measles-related symptoms, such as a cough, runny nose, rash, fever, or red eyes, to contact their healthcare provider. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, administered in two doses, offers 97% protection against the virus and is considered safe and effective by health officials.

<A worker in a high-visibility vest and hat walks in a dusty vineyard next to a large harvesting machine.

More agricultural workers are expected to arrive in California in the coming days. Residents seeking additional information on measles and the MMR vaccine can visit the California Department of Public Health website at cdph.ca.gov.