Disneyland officials state they are working with health professionals to address the Measles outbreak.
A measles outbreak has infected 12 California residents as of Friday. State officials reported on Wednesday that a visitor of the Disneyland theme park was infected with measles and spread the disease to nine California and Utah residents; seven were California residents. In Orange County alone, there are six cases of the measles. All of the patients are currently hospitalized and their infection is related to the Disneyland outbreak.
The original nine individuals who were infected with Measles are believed to have been infected during their trips to the Disneyland and California Adventure theme parks from December 15 to December 20.
Of the six infected Orange County residents, three are adults. Only one of the six was vaccinated against the Measles. The viral disease has infected individuals in various counties in California. The Alameda, Riverside, and San Diego counties have residents who are infected with the disease. Nicole Stanfield of Orange County's health care agency told individuals, whom many be infected, to call their doctors first before coming to hospitals. Measles is a highly contagious disease that can spread through coughing and sneezing.
The Los Angeles Times reports that officials believe the disease may have spread from original Measles patients at local hospitals including St. Joseph's, CHOC (Children's Hospital of Orange County), and Quest Diagnostics Laboratory. Those who were at these hospitals are being asked by officials to monitor themselves for any symptoms.
"Measles begins with a fever that lasts for a couple of days, followed by a cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and a rash," states the California Department of Health on their website. "The rash typically appears first on the face, along the hairline, and behind the ears and then affects the rest of the body. Infected people are usually contagious from about 4 days before their rash starts to 4 days afterwards," they state.
Experts state that vaccines are the best way to prevent the Measles virus.
