Measles Exposure at International Airport, Popular Theme Park

Travelers visiting Disneyland, the Los Angeles International Airport, and regional areas in Los Angeles may have been exposed to measles.

An unvaccinated toddler who traveled to the magical theme park at the end of January was diagnosed, according to an Orange County health care agency news release. On Jan. 28, the infected toddler visited Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, 12:30 p.m. to closing as well as Goofy’s Kitchen in Disneyland Hotel, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

People who were within breathing or sneezing distance of the toddler may be at risk for developing measles from seven to 21 days after exposure, according to the CDC, which deems three or more infections as an outbreak.

If you are vaccinated with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, you should be fine. But if you’re wondering what to look for, just in case you’re not sure about your vaccine status, look for white spots in the mouth as one symptom and rashy red spots on your face and body. You may also have a cough, fever, and runny nose. There’s no medication for the measles; experts suggest rest and hydration, and pain relievers if needed.

Other Measles Outbreaks in the U.S.

This year, 588 measles cases were reported in the United States, according to the CDC. The states with measles cases include Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Last year, there were 2,267 confirmed cases in the U.S, and the numbers for this year are too early to tell if they’ll be similar, but it appears that cases are quickly on the rise. In the year 2000, medical experts declared the measles eradicated, but this is no longer the case as fewer people are vaccinated for this preventable disease. Complications include pneumonia, hospitalization, and in rare cases, death. It's a small world, a small infectious world, after all.