Teen Exposes Disneyland, SoCal Tourist Attractions To Measles

ANAHEIM, CA —Orange County health officials announced a visitor to southern California theme parks may have exposed guests to the measles virus this month. On Friday, OC Health stated that a teenage girl with measles visited Disneyland, Disney California Adventure on Aug. 12.

"She may have exposed people at the nearby Desert Palms hotel on the 600 block of W. Katella Avenue," Jessica Good of the OC Health Care Agency said. The girl was a guest of the hotel from Aug. 11 to Aug. 15.

During that time, she also visited Hollywood, Santa Monica and Universal Studios, Patch was told.

"The Health Care Agency is working with both Disneyland Resort and the Desert Palms Hotel, reaching workers who were known to have close contact with this case," Good said.

Disneyland Resort was 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, according to Dr. Pam Hymel, Chief Medical Officer, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.

"We maintain rigorous sanitation standards to protect guests and cast," Hymel said, adding that earlier in 2019 the resort "strengthened our immunization program and educational resources for cast members, in addition to our ongoing efforts."

If you were at the Disneyland Resort or the Desert Palms Hotel during that time, check your vaccination history, Good advised.

Other people may have been exposed to measles since public locations were visited by the person with measles while infectious. The potential public exposure locations, days and times were as follows:

• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Terminal 8, between 9:00p.m.–11:30p.m.
  • August 11, 2019
• Desert Palms Hotel, 631 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim
  • August 11 – 15, 2019
• Disneyland Park and California Adventure, Anaheim
  • August 12, 2019
• Universal Studios, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA? 91608*
  • August 14, 2019
• TCL Chinese Theatres, 6925 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028 (formerly known as Grauman’s Chinese Theatre)*
  • August 15, 2019
• Madame Tussauds, 6933 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028*
  • August 15, 2019
• The Original Farmers Market, 6333 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90036*
  • August 15, 2019
• Santa Monica Pier and Beach, 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401*
  • August 15, 2019
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Tom Bradley International Terminal, between 6:00p.m.–11:59p.m.
  • August 15, 2019

*Time frames for these locations are still under investigation by Orange County Health Care Agency

There is no known current risk related to measles that exists at these venues at this time.

"Measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that causes fever, rash, cough, and red, watery eyes," said Dr. Nichole Quick, the county's health officer. "It spreads very easily by air and by direct contact with an infected person."

The measles is contagious from approximately four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appears.

People exposed to the measles can take up to 21 days before showing symptoms.

Anyone who does develop symptoms, such as fever or an unexplained rash, is urged to stay home and contact a health care provider over the phone.

"We encourage community members to protect themselves and their families by getting vaccinated," Quick said.

Patch has reached out to Los Angeles Public Health and will update this report with additional locations as soon as they are received.