The San Francisco Department of Public Health on Wednesday announced a confirmed case of measles in an infant, the city’s first reported measles case since 2019.

The infant, who is unvaccinated, was exposed to measles while traveling internationally and became infectious after returning and is recovering at home, public health officials said. The measles case was confirmed Monday evening.

Everyone who lives with the infant reported being vaccinated, and the city Department of Public Health is reaching out to other close contacts in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus.

Public health officials said measles spreads easily through the air when someone infectious breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes. Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, and a rash. The virus can cause serious complications and death.

The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, also known as MMR, is recommended for children ages 12-15 months, with a second dose administered between 4 to 6 years old, according to the Department of Public Health.

“It is incredibly important to get the MMR vaccine, as measles is one of the most infectious diseases in the world,” San Francisco Health Officer Dr. Susan Philip said in a statement. “If you and your family are traveling internationally, make sure everyone is up to date with the MMR vaccine and is aware of the symptoms of measles.”

Dan McMenamin is the managing editor at Bay City News, directing daily news coverage of the 12-county greater Bay Area. He has worked for BCN since 2008 and has been managing editor since 2014 after previously serving as BCN’s San Francisco bureau reporter. A UC Davis graduate, he came to BCN after working for a newspaper and nonprofit in the Davis area. He handles staffing, including coaching of our interns, day-to-day coverage decisions and management of the newswire.