Nine people who visited Disneyland or Disney California Adventure Park in December have confirmed cases of measles, according to the investigating officials from the California Department of Public Health.
The cases were reported in California and Utah, and likely occurred when the victims visited the theme parks between Dec. 15-20, 2014 officials said.
“It is likely that a person infectious with measles was at one of the theme parks on these dates. People can be infectious with measles for nine days,” the state health department announced on Wednesday, Jan. 7. “Several large contact investigations are ongoing.”
“If you have symptoms, and believe you may have been exposed, please contact your healthcare provider,” said state health officer Ron Chapman in a statement. “The best way to prevent measles and its spread is to get vaccinated.”
A press release by state health officials outlined the common symptoms that occur with measles: “typically begins with fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes and within a few days a red rash appears, usually first on the face and then spreads downward to the rest of the body.”
Seven California cases were confirmed in Alameda, Orange, Pasadena, Riverside, and San Diego, and included some children. The confirmed cases range in age from 8 months to 21 years.
Of the California measles cases, six patients were not vaccinated for measles, with two of them too young to get the vaccine.
Children typically get their first dose of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine at 12 months old or even later, and then a second dose before kindergarten.
Measles has been eliminated in the US since 2000, but travelers from countries where the illness is widespread or have suffered outbreaks still have the potential to bring the disease to the States.
“Disney and other theme parks in California are international attractions and visitors come from many parts of the world, including those where measles is endemic,” the Dept. of Public Health said.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts’ chief medical officer, Dr. Pamela Hymel, said the entertainment company giant was “working with the health department to provide any information and assistance we can.”
(With reports from Los Angeles Times and KTLA5)
