Officials: Measles Cases Linked to Disneyland Parks Up to 51
Health officials in California say that more than 50 individuals have been diagnosed with measles following an outbreak at Disneyland theme parks last month, the Los Angeles Times reports (Lin, Los Angeles Times, 1/17).
On Jan. 7, California public health officials confirmed that at least nine people contracted measles after visiting Disneyland or Disney California Adventure Park between Dec. 17, 2014, and Dec. 20, 2014 (California Healthline, 1/8).
Details of Outbreak
The total number of cases related to the outbreak has reached 51, including:
- 16 cases in Orange County;
- 10 cases in San Diego County;
- 8 cases in Los Angeles County;
- 4 cases in Alameda County;
- 3 in Ventura County;
- 2 in Riverside County;
- 2 in San Bernardino County; and
- 6 other cases across Colorado, Mexico, Utah and Washington.
Officials said many affected individuals had not received a measles vaccination. For example, nine of the 10 cases in San Diego County had not been vaccinated.
Implications
Orange County health officials in a statement said six of the county's measles cases were from "unknown community contacts," which could indicate that "exposure to measles is more widespread throughout the county."
Officials said they "expec[t] that the measles outbreak will continue to spread" (Los Angeles Times, 1/17).
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