Measles Exposure Confirmed At Disneyland, Universal Studios, Other Tourist Destinations After Contagious Teenager Visits SoCal
ANAHEIM (CBSLA) — A female teenager visiting from New Zealand was infectious with the measles virus when she visited Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park, Universal Studios Hollywood, and other popular tourist destinations, health officials confirmed Friday.
According to the OC Health Care Agency (HCA), the teen was in the Los Angeles and Orange County area from August 11 through August 15, 2019.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed that the patient was at Los Angeles International Airport Terminal 8 sometime between 9 and 11:30 p.m. Aug. 11, and again at the LAX Tom Bradley International Terminal between 6 to 11:59 p.m. Aug. 15
Orange County residents may have been exposed to measles at the locations listed below on the following dates:
- Desert Palms Hotel, 631 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim form Aug. 11 to 15, 2019
- Disneyland Park and California Adventure, Anaheim on Aug. 12, 2019
- Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal City on Aug. 14, 2019
- TCL Chinese Theater, Hollywood on Aug. 15, 2019
- Madame Tussauds, Hollywood on Aug.15, 2019
- The Original Farmers Market, Los Angeles on Aug. 15, 2019
- Santa Monica Pier and Beach, Santa Monica on Aug.15
The HCA has been working with the facilities listed above to reach people who had known close contact with this case.
One mom from Cypress said she contracted the virus three years ago at Disneyland and ended up quarantined in the hospital for more than a week with a fever and painful sores.
"It was very traumatizing," she said. "I had to make arrangements for my son. My son was also exposed, he was OK, but lost two and a half weeks of school. I had to have someone take care of him while I was in the hospital."
It's an experience she said she wouldn't want anyone else to go through.
"It really got to me today, because so many people are now exposed because of this," she said. "It could be babies, children, adults, whoever. And now we have to worry about all these people that have been exposed because of this person who wasn't vaccinated."
Disneyland released a statement to CBSLA saying, "We were notified that the tourist visited multiple Southern California locations and have been advised by OC Health Care Agency that the risk to cast and guests is likely low. We maintain rigorous sanitation standards to protect guests and cast, and earlier this year we strengthened our immunization program and educational resources for cast members, in addition to our ongoing efforts."
People who were in the listed locations around the same time should monitor themselves for illness with fever and/or an unexplained rash from 7 days to 21 days after their exposure.
If symptoms develop, stay at home and call a health care provider immediately.