Disneyland linked to measles cases

©Steven Liebman Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland.

The California Department of Public Health confirms that seven cases of measles have been linked to visits to Disneyland and California Adventure in December.

Seven people from five different locations within California have been confirmed to have measles, according to Dr. Ron Chapman, CDPH director and state health officer.

Two Utah resident cases have also been confirmed and three additional California residents are also suspected to have measles and are under investigation, he said. All confirmed and suspect cases reported visiting Disneyland or Disney California Adventure Park between Dec. 15 and Dec. 20, 2014.

It is likely a person infectious with measles was at one of the theme parks on these dates, the health department said.

“If you have symptoms, and believe you may have been exposed, please contact your health care provider,” Chapman said. “The best way to prevent measles and its spread is to get vaccinated.”

People can be infectious with measles for nine days. 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. Measles is a highly infectious, airborne disease.

Measles has been eliminated in the United States since 2000. However, large measles outbreaks have occurred in Western Europe, Pakistan, Vietnam and the Philippines in recent years. Travelers to areas where measles is endemic can bring measles back to the U.S., resulting in limited domestic transmission of measles. 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.