The Orange County Health Care Agency confirmed a measles case in an international traveler who arrived at Los Angeles International Airport and then later visited a Disney park.
On Wednesday, the infected person visited Goofy’s Kitchen from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Downtown Disney, the shopping and restaurant district adjacent to the park, and then Disney California Adventure Park from 12:30 p.m. to closing, according to a news release from the Orange County Health Care Agency. The release did not say if the infected person visited the Disneyland Park.
“Measles doesn’t only affect people who travel internationally — everyone is at risk if they’re not protected,” Dr. Anissa Davis, deputy county health officer, said in the release. “Because measles is highly contagious, it can spread quickly within communities, even among those who haven’t traveled. The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get vaccinated before exposure occurs.”
People who were at those locations have a risk of getting measles starting seven to 21 days after being exposed, according to the release. People who visited the amusement park during that time have been advised to check their immunity status, talk to their healthcare provider about vaccination and immunity status.
Disney officials do not release daily attendance figures but a longtime Walt Disney Engineering director revealed in 2019 that Disneyland attendance on a “normal day” was 65,000. The Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge expansion completed that year increased daily capacity to about 80,000, according to insiders. Daily attendance at Disney’s California Adventure Park is 24,000 to 27,000, according to estimates by Disney followers and insiders.
Earlier last week, the OC Healthcare Agency confirmed a measles case in a young adult who recently traveled internationally. The infected person visited a gym in Ladera Ranch on Jan. 23 and an urgent care facility on Jan. 23 and 26.
People who aren’t fully immunized should contact a healthcare provider if exposure happened less than a week ago, according to the release. Immunoglobulin is recommended for some people, such as infants under 12 months, pregnant people without immunity and those with weakened immune systems.
If exposure happened more than a week ago, non-immune people should stay home and limit interactions for 21 days after being exposed, according to the release. People should monitor their symptoms and watch for a fever and/or a rash for up to 21 days after exposure.
The Health Care Agency’s Communicable Disease Control Division is working with Disneyland to contact employees who may have been exposed to measles, according to the release.
Last month, the Department of Public Health confirmed the first two measles cases this year in Los Angeles County.
One person tested positive for measles had recently traveled outside the country. There were no public exposure locations associated with that case outside of a healthcare facility. The department is now working to identify people who may have been in contact with the individual and are checking their vaccination status.
