Measles Cases On The Rise As Infected Tourist Visits CA Theme Park

CALIFORNIA — Measles outbreaks have been on the rise throughout the United States and in California where throngs of people were recently exposed to the disease.

As is frequently the case, the infected person traveled to the region while unknowingly infected with measles. On Saturday, health officials warned of potential exposure from an infected tourist who spent time at Universal Studios theme park and other popular areas around Los Angeles County.

The exposure is a major concern for state health officials — one of California's largest outbreaks in recent years stemmed from exposure to the disease among crowds at Disneyland. In 2015, dozens of people were infected at the theme park by an infected person. Nationwide, measles cases already are nearly double the total for all of last year.

In California's most recent case, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health was notified of the infection by the California Department of Public Health. The infected person traveled in Los Angeles County from Saturday, March 30, to Sunday, April 1. Individuals who were exposed might be at risk of developing measles within 21 days from the exposure date, according to health officials.

One of the world's most contagious diseases, measles can lead to potentially serious complications.

The U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention documented 113 cases as of April 5. There have been seven outbreaks and most of U.S. cases — 73% — are linked to those flare-ups

The vast majority of the cases have been linked to international travel, according to the CDC. Destinations such as Austria, the Philippines, Romania and the United Kingdom are all experiencing measles outbreaks.

Last month, hundreds of people at the UC Davis Medical Center were exposed to measles after a child who was infected with the virus was seen at the hospital, according to Sacramento County Public Health.

Another case of possible exposure was reported in Alameda County at a restaurant on March 9. In February, an infected international traveler landed at Los Angeles International Airport and headed straight to a Los Angeles area fast food restaurant, prompting health officials to track a trail of potential exposures.

The uptick in cases can threaten the United States' status as a country that has eliminated measles by stopping the continual spread of the measles virus. In 2019, the nation's measles epidemic was the worst in almost three decades.

The CDC on Thursday released a report on recent measles case trends, noting that cases in the first three months of this year were 17 times higher than the average number seen in the first three months of the previous three years.

While health officials seem to be doing a good job detecting and responding to outbreaks, “the rapid increase in the number of reported measles cases during the first quarter of 2024 represents a renewed threat to elimination,” the report’s authors said.

Why is this a big deal? Where is measles coming from?

The disease is still common in many parts of the world, and measles reaches the U.S. through unvaccinated travelers.

According to Thursday’s report, most of the recent importations involved unvaccinated Americans who got infected in the Middle East and Africa and brought measles back to the U.S.

How does measles spread?

Measles is highly contagious. It spreads when people who have it breathe, cough or sneeze and through contaminated surfaces. It also can linger in the air for two hours.

Up to 9 out of 10 people who are susceptible will get the virus if exposed, according to the CDC.

Measles used to be common among kids. How bad was it?

Before a vaccine became available in 1963, there were some 3 million to 4 million cases per year, which meant nearly all American kids had it sometime during childhood, according to the CDC. Most recovered.

But measles can be much more than an uncomfortable rash, said Susan Hassig, an infectious disease researcher at Tulane University.

“I think that people need to remember that this is a preventable disease," Hassig said. “It is a potentially dangerous disease for their children.”

In the decade before the vaccine was available, 48,000 people were hospitalized per year. About 1,000 people developed dangerous brain inflammation from measles each year, and 400 to 500 died, according to the CDC.

Is the measles vaccine safe? Where do vaccination rates stand?

The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective. It is a routine and recommended childhood vaccine that is split into two doses.

Research shows it takes a very high vaccination rate to prevent measles from spreading: 95% of the population should have immunity against the virus.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, national vaccination rates for kindergartners fell to 93% and remain there. Many pockets of the country have far lower rates than that. The drop is driven in part by record numbers of kids getting waivers.

In California, where children are required to be vaccinated in order to attend school, the rate of kindergarteners reported as having received 2 doses of Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) in 2021-2022 was 96.3 percent, with 16 California counties reporting MMR rates below 95 percent, according to the California Department of Public Health.

Where were this year's U.S. measles outbreaks?

Health officials confirmed measles cases in 17 states so far this year, including cases in California, New York City, Philadelphia and Chicago.

More than half of this year's cases come from the Chicago outbreak, where 61 people have contracted the virus as of Thursday, largely among people who lived in a migrant shelter.

In California's most recent case, people may have been exposed at the following times and locations in Los Angeles:

Individuals who were at the following locations during the dates and times below might be at risk of developing measles within 21 days from the exposure date, according to health officials.

Saturday, 3/30/24:

• Sheraton Gateway Hotel Gym, 6101 W. Century Blvd. (5:30 a.m. - 8 a.m.);
• Denny's, 5535 W. Century Blvd. (time not yet determined);
• Universal Studios, 100 Universal City Plaza;
• Buca Di Beppo, 1000 Universal Studios Blvd. (appx. noon);
• Cletus Chicken Shack in Universal Studies, 100 Universal City Plaza (appx. 4 p.m.);
• Lard Lad Doughnuts and EC Food Truck in Universal Studios, 100 Universal City Plaza (time not yet determined);
• Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream , 445 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills (time not yet determined);
• Sheraton Gateway Hotel, 6101 W. Century Blvd.

Sunday, 3/31/24:

• Sheraton Gateway Hotel Gym, 6101 W. Century Blvd. (5:30 a.m. - 8 a.m.);
• Jack in the Box, 1127 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood (appx. 11 a.m.);
• Pier Gear, 380 Santa Monica Pier #1 (time not yet determined);
• El Torito Mexican Restaurant, 13715 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey (6-8 p.m.);
• Sheraton Gateway Hotel, 6101 W. Century Blvd.

Monday, 4/1/24:

• Sheraton Gateway Hotel, 6101 W. Century Blvd.
• Denny's, 5535 W. Century Blvd. (time not yet determined).

Additional locations where possible exposures may have occurred are being investigated. People who were in the locations above were advised to confirm if they have been vaccinated against measles. If they have not had measles in the past and have not yet obtained the measles vaccine, they are at risk of contracting measles if they have been exposed.

City News Service and Associated Press reporters DEVI SHASTRI and MIKE STOBBE contributed to this report.