Health Officials Warn of Measles Exposure at Burlingame Restaurant

A resident of Santa Clara County has been confirmed to have measles, potentially exposing others while dining at a Panda Express restaurant in Burlingame earlier this week. Health authorities issued public notices on Friday, detailing the case of an adult who had recently returned from international travel. This individual was vaccinated and is currently isolating at home.

The exposure occurred at the restaurant located on Burlingame Avenue, just north of El Camino Real, on Monday and Tuesday between 11:30 a.m. and 13:30 p.m. People who were present during these hours may be at risk for measles, particularly those who are unvaccinated, pregnant, or immunocompromised. The notices instruct anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, and a body rash to remain at home and contact a healthcare provider immediately.

Health officials indicated that if individuals remain symptom-free for more than 21 days after exposure, they are no longer at risk of developing the disease. This case marks the first confirmed instance of measles in Santa Clara County since May 2025 and the 22nd reported case statewide in 2026. Prior to this, the last confirmed case within the county was in 2019.

San Mateo County health officials reported two confirmed measles cases in their jurisdiction in 2026, with one additional case noted in 2025. Notably, the United States documented over 2,200 measles cases last year, the highest number in three decades, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Measles is recognized as one of the most contagious infectious diseases, with approximately one in five unvaccinated individuals requiring hospitalization. Severe complications can include lung and brain infections, which may lead to cognitive impairments, hearing loss, or even death.

Health experts advocate for the measles vaccine, typically administered as part of the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, citing its safety and effectiveness. The recent increase in measles cases is attributed to declining vaccination rates. “Fortunately, our region has strong community immunity due to our very high vaccination rates and past childhood exposure,” stated Dr. Sarah Rudman, the public health director for Santa Clara County, in a prepared statement. “Two doses of the MMR or MMRV vaccine provide the best protection against measles and can effectively halt an outbreak.”

In a related context, California and several other Western states earlier this year announced plans to reject new CDC guidelines regarding childhood vaccinations. Nonetheless, both San Mateo and Santa Clara counties continue to adhere to existing state vaccination protocols, which are covered by health insurance in California.

As health officials work to manage the situation, they urge community members to remain vigilant and consider their vaccination statuses to protect themselves and others from potential measles exposure.