World’s most contagious disease spreads in California as doctors issue warning about ‘dark times’
San Diego County health officials are sounding the alarm as measles continues to appear across Southern California, warning that challenging times could be ahead.
Although no cases have been reported locally in 2026, nearby Los Angeles and Orange counties have confirmed infections, prompting officials there to urge parents to ensure their children are vaccinated. Measles, recognized as one of the most contagious diseases, was considered eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. However, public hesitation around vaccines has allowed it to slowly return, putting children at risk.
Dr. Ahmad Bailony, a local physician, says he has noticed a shift in parents’ attitudes toward immunizations. “More families than ever are telling me, ‘We don’t feel safe about vaccines with everything that’s going on,’” he told ABC 7.
He added, “Even here in California, I think we could be entering some dark times.” Despite the warning, Dr. Bailony emphasized that there is still time to protect children. He described the measles vaccine as “very safe” and noted it has been used for four decades. “Vaccinating your child is an act of love and care,” he said, “and many of the reasons I hear for avoiding vaccines are rooted more in fear than in science.”
Local health statistics show that fewer than 94% of San Diego kindergarteners had received the MMR vaccine before the 2023 school year, leaving herd immunity lower than most other counties in Southern California. Meanwhile, Orange County recently reported a second measles case connected to someone who visited Disneyland.
According to the Orange County Health Care Agency, the individual was at Disneyland Park on January 22 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and at Disney California Adventure Park from 3 p.m. to closing. This follows an earlier case linked to an international traveler who visited Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and a restaurant at a Disney hotel in Anaheim.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that measles spreads through tiny airborne droplets that can remain in the air for hours and survive on surfaces. Common symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that usually starts on the face and spreads across the body.
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