Riverside, San Bernardino Counties Report First 2026 Measles Cases

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, CA — People who shopped at an Inland Empire Walmart store are being advised by health officials that they may have been exposed to measles after a child who was at the retail location later tested positive for the highly contagious viral infection.

Separately, visitors to Disneyland were possibly exposed, and Riverside County is reporting its first 2026 measles case, officials announced Monday.

The Inland Empire Walmart report, involving an unvaccinated minor who was visiting California from another state, was announced Friday by the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health. The child was at the Walmart Supercenter, 1333 N. Mountain Ave. in Ontario, between noon and 3 p.m. on Jan. 29.

The child was infectious from Jan. 26 through Feb. 3, according to the county health department.

Shoppers who were at the Walmart store during the exposure timeframe may be at risk of developing measles, especially if unvaccinated, immunocompromised or pregnant, according to the county health department.

Additionally, people identified through a contact investigation may receive a call from the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health.

The measles case is the first confirmed case in San Bernardino County since 2023.

On Friday, the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health said the case is unrelated to the Disneyland measles exposure. However, Orange County health officials confirmed over the weekend another measles case in a person who visited Disneyland.

According to Saturday's news release from the Orange County Health Care Agency, the latest infectious visitor went to both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park on Jan. 22, 2026. The person was at Disneyland between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and at California Adventure from 3 p.m. to closing time.

Separately, another infectious person — an international traveler who arrived in California at Los Angeles International Airport before visiting Disneyland on Wednesday, Jan. 28 — was also reported, according to OC health officials. The potential exposure windows to the public that day included Goofy's Kitchen in the Disneyland Hotel from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park from 12:30 p.m until the parks closed.

The first measles case of 2026 surfaced in western Riverside County recently, prompting health officials Monday to urge precautions and vigilance among residents.

The patient, identified only as a child, tested positive for a measles infection following tests last month and is now recovering at home, according to the Riverside University Health System.

The origin of the infection could not be verified. RUHS officials said the minor had not traveled out of the country, or even out of the state, in the last several months.

As of Feb. 2, nine confirmed measles cases were reported to the California Department of Public Health since the start of the year. That figure does not include the Riverside or San Bernardino county cases, or the latest Disneyland case in Orange County. In addition to Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, measles cases were reported this year in Napa, San Mateo and Shasta counties.

On Jan. 31, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced it was investigating a confirmed case of measles in a resident who recently traveled internationally. It was the third measles case reported by the health department that week.

The Riverside County University Health System reported on April 3, 2025, that a Riverside County resident tested positive for measles. It was the first confirmed case of  the virus in the county since 2018. The adult, who had a recent history of international travel, was living in eastern part of the county.

Across the United States, 733 confirmed measles cases have been reported this year across Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. The figure is current through Feb. 5, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes. Symptoms typically develop seven to 21 days after exposure and often begin with fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes.

Within a few days, a red, blotchy rash appears, usually starting on the face and spreading downward to the rest of the body.

People with measles can be contagious four days before the onset of rash and four days after.

Measles can lead to serious health complications, including ear infections, lung infections, diarrhea, and in rare cases, brain swelling or death.

The best protection against measles is vaccination, according to the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health.

“Vaccines are our best defense against infectious diseases, protecting both individuals and the wider community,” said San Bernardino County Health Officer Dr. Sharon Wang. “Staying healthy and staying up to date with vaccinations is a key step in safeguarding public health and saving lives.”

Children should receive two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, with the first dose given at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. Children over 6 months but under 12 months may receive an early dose if traveling to areas with increased measles activity. Teens and adults who do not have documented MMR vaccinations should also get vaccinated.

If you’re unsure of your vaccination status, you can check out CA Digital Vaccine Record or ask your healthcare provider. If no records exist, getting vaccinated is highly recommended. If you do not have a primary care physician, you can visit a county health center. To schedule an appointment for immunizations, visit MyTurn.ca.gov.

If you feel ill or believe you may have been exposed to measles, it is recommended that you stay home and contact your healthcare provider immediately. Before visiting a healthcare facility, call ahead so that measures can be taken to prevent the spread of the virus. Wearing a mask when seeking care can also help reduce transmission.