MENTALHEALTH.INFOLABMED.COM - Southern California is currently facing a concerning rise in measles cases, with recent confirmations directly linked to international travel.
A second instance of the highly contagious disease has been identified in Orange County, involving a traveler who first landed at LAX before visiting a popular Disney destination.
Simultaneously, Los Angeles County has recorded three additional measles cases within the past week, all stemming from residents returning from overseas journeys.
This surge mirrors a broader national and global trend of increasing measles outbreaks, highlighting the vulnerability of the Southland.
Recent Measles Cases and Key Exposure Sites
Over the past seven days, public health authorities have confirmed a total of five new measles infections across the region.
Orange County reported two cases, while Los Angeles County confirmed three distinct infections.
The latest Los Angeles case, announced on Monday evening, involved an individual who was infectious while visiting a Sherman Oaks restaurant.
Crucially, every single confirmed infection to date has been traced back to individuals with recent international travel history.
Consequently, health officials in both counties are issuing urgent calls for residents to ensure their vaccinations are up-to-date.
Specific public exposure sites have been identified, including a visit to Goofy’s Kitchen at Downtown Disney between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on a recent Wednesday.
The same infected individual then proceeded to Disney California Adventure Park from 12:30 p.m. until closing, as detailed in a report from the Orange County Health Care Agency.
In Los Angeles County, another confirmed case led to an exposure at the Mardi Gras Tuesday restaurant located at 14543 Ventura Blvd.
This incident occurred on January 24th, with the infectious person present from approximately 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., according to the L.A. County Department of Public Health.
Individuals who were present at any of these specified locations now face a potential risk of developing measles symptoms.
Symptoms typically manifest between seven and 21 days following exposure to the virus.
For those who visited the Disney amusement park on Wednesday, it is strongly recommended to consult a healthcare provider regarding their vaccination status and overall immunity.
Urgent Public Health Message: Get Vaccinated
Dr. Anissa Davis, Orange County’s deputy county health officer, emphasized the universal risk associated with measles.
She stated, "Measles doesn’t only affect people who travel internationally — everyone is at risk if they’re not protected."
Dr. Davis further highlighted the virus's rapid spread, noting, "Because measles is highly contagious, it can spread quickly within communities, even among those who haven’t traveled."
Her crucial advice is straightforward: "The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get vaccinated before exposure occurs."
Understanding Potential Exposure at Disney Parks
While Disneyland officials typically do not disclose daily attendance figures, past insights offer a glimpse into the potential scope of exposure.
In 2019, a former Walt Disney Engineering director indicated that Disneyland hosted approximately 65,000 visitors on a typical day.
The introduction of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge that same year reportedly boosted the park's daily capacity to around 80,000, according to industry insiders.
Estimates from Disney enthusiasts and insiders suggest that Disney California Adventure Park sees a daily attendance ranging from 24,000 to 27,000.
These figures underscore the significant number of individuals who could have been present during the exposure times.
Additional Exposure Locations and Timelines
Prior to the Disney-related incident, the Orange County Healthcare Agency had already confirmed a measles case in a young adult with international travel history.
This individual visited a gym in Ladera Ranch on January 23rd and an urgent care facility on both January 23rd and 26th.
The series of L.A. County confirmations began with its first case on Friday, followed by a second on Saturday, and the third on Monday.
For the initial L.A. County case, no specific public exposure sites have been identified by health authorities.
However, potential exposures for the second L.A. County case include individuals present at LAX Terminal B between 10:45 p.m. on January 26th and 1 a.m. on January 27th.
Additionally, those who visited the Dunkin’ Donuts at 22020 Ventura Blvd. in Woodland Hills on Friday, between 3 p.m. and 4:45 p.m., might also have been exposed.
Recommendations for Those Exposed
For individuals who are not fully immunized, immediate contact with a healthcare provider is advised if potential exposure occurred less than a week ago.
Certain vulnerable groups, including infants under 12 months, pregnant individuals lacking immunity, and those with compromised immune systems, may be recommended for immunoglobulin treatment.
If the exposure took place more than a week prior, non-immune individuals should self-isolate and restrict social interactions for a full 21 days following the potential contact.
During this period, it is crucial to diligently monitor for symptoms such as fever and/or a rash, which can appear up to three weeks post-exposure.
The Communicable Disease Control Division of the Health Care Agency is actively collaborating with Disneyland to identify and notify employees who may have been exposed to measles.
The Broader Picture: Declining Vaccination Rates and Rising Cases
Nationwide, the incidence of measles cases has unfortunately seen an upward trend in recent years.
This resurgence is largely attributed to declining vaccination rates, which create fertile ground for the highly contagious virus to spread rapidly within communities lacking sufficient immunization coverage.
Data from the CDC indicates a significant number of confirmed measles cases in the U.S., with a total of 3,246 reported between 2014 and 2024.
A specific year in this period saw 2,267 cases, marking the highest annual total recorded since the early 1990s, underscoring the urgent need for widespread vaccination efforts.
