Some unlucky visitors to Disneyland and its adjacent California Adventure park have been bringing back more than a pair of mouse ears from vacation, health officials say in California, with a current measles outbreak getting traced back to the theme parks. Yes, people still get measles.
So far there have been nine cases of measles confirmed in people who visited one or the other of the parks in late December, Reuters reports, with state health officials urging anyone who might’ve been exposed to contact a doctor.
All the cases were in people who visited one or both of the two Anaheim parks between Dec. 15 and Dec. 20, said Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health.
There are three more suspected cases in other people who were also at one of the parks in that time frame.
“If you have symptoms, and believe you may have been exposed, please contact your health care provider,” he said, noting that people with measles can be infectious for nine days after contracting it. “The best way to prevent measles and its spread is to get vaccinated.”
Infected patients range from 8 months to 21 years, and six of those people were unvaccinated for measles (two for being too young). Only one patient had received the appropriate vaccination.
Measles brings a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by the infamous red rash that usually starts on the face and spreads downward.
The chief medical officer for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts said the company is working with the California health department to provide information and assistance.
California health officials link measles outbreak to Disneyland [Reuters]
by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist
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