Some Disneyland Guests May Have Been Exposed to Measles After an Infected Person Visited the Park
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Authorities are warning Disneyland guests of a possible measles exposure after an infected guest visited the park earlier this month.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced in a statement on Tuesday that a person who was still contagious with the disease visited both a Starbucks at 3006 S. Sepulveda Boulevard and the Disneyland park on October 16.
Specifically, anyone who was at the coffee shop in the early morning and in the park any time after 9:15 a.m. is susceptible "for up to 21 days after being exposed," the statement added.
Additionally, Los Angeles County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis emphasized in the statement: “For those who are not protected, measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that...is spread by air and by direct contact."
According to the CDC, measles is an infectious disease that presents with a high fever, cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes, tiny white spots in the back of the throat, and a distinctive rash. Most of the time, symptoms appear between seven and 14 days after initial exposure, and the rash appears three to five days after that. Sometimes symptoms can take up to three weeks to appear.
People who are vaccinated against the disease are protected against infection, according to the CDC. Those who have not received a vaccine are at risk of developing the disease if they come into contact with an infected person.
There have been quite a few measles exposures in the U.S. recently, with three reported warnings at Los Angeles International Airport alone between January and April of 2019. Per the CDC, that there have been 38 cases of measles in California in 2019 so far.
Potentially exposed people should monitor their health and symptoms while getting in touch with their healthcare provider, especially if they have a compromised immune system, are pregnant, have an infant, or are not vaccinated.
