Public health officials confirmed that a guest with measles visited Disneyland while infectious, according to the Los Angeles Times‘ Jaclyn Cosgrove.
The guest, a Los Angeles County resident, visited the park on October 16th. Officials say that the person may have infected others. Anybody who visited the park on that day between 9:15 AM and 8:35 PM is at risk of developing measles up to 21 days after being exposed, according to county health officials.
The guest also visited the Starbucks at 3006 S. Sepulveda Blvd. in West Los Angeles the same day, before heading to Disneyland. Anybody at that location between 7:50 AM and 10 AM is also at risk of developing measles.
Those who visited the park or the Starbucks on that day should review their vaccination and medical records to determine if they are protected against measles. If they are not vaccinated or have not had a previous measles infection, they should consult their healthcare provider about receiving the vaccination. Anyone who is at risk should contact their healthcare provider, especially if they are pregnant, have a weakened immune system, or are not vaccinated. Parents of infants should also contact their healthcare providers if their infant was at the park during the reported exposure times.
The news comes two months after a teenager from New Zealand visited the park while also infected with measles.
Los Angeles County health officer Dr. Muntu Davis said, “For those who are not protected, measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that initially causes fever, cough, red, watery eyes, and, finally, a rash. Measles is spread by air and by direct contact even before you know have it. The MMR immunization is a very effective measure to protect yourself and to prevent the unintentional spread of this potentially serious infection to others.”
