With measles outbreaks popping up in pockets across the US, the risk of contracting the illness — especially in public places that draw large crowds — is becoming more real by the day. And now, the latest scare seems to have swept the Happiest Place on Earth. According to health officials, a teen with measles may have infected both Disneyland and Universal Studios park-goers earlier this month in what has become yet another reminder of the importance of immunization.
The unnamed teen reportedly traveled from New Zealand to California on August 11, visiting popular tourist attractions over the span of five days.
Health officials have drafted a rough timeline of her whereabouts from August 11 to 15, while trying to estimate just how many people might have been exposed, though it's not exactly clear when or where the teen contracted the illness, according to NBC News.
Her first stop on US soil was at Los Angelas International Airport (LAX), which sees thousands of travelers each day. (In fact, it's the third busiest airport in the world and the US, believe it or not.) Over the next several days, the teen reportedly iht up several popular tourist attractions commonly on most visitors' bucket lists. In addition to Disneyland and Universal Studios, she also visited Madame Tussauds in Hollywood, the Original Farmers Market, Santa Monica Pier and Beach, and TCL Chinese Theatres, and she stayed at the Desert Palms Hotel.
The Orange County Health Care Agency has since been actively working with representatives at all locations to see who the teen came into close contact with during her stay.
Still, Disney Parks officials said they "have been advised by OC Health Care Agency that the risk to cast and guests is likely low.''
"We maintain rigorous sanitation standards to protect guests and cast, and earlier this year we strengthened our immunization program and educational resources for cast members, in addition to our ongoing efforts,'' Dr. Pamela Hymel, chief medical officer of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, said in a statement obtained by NBC News.
In the meantime, anyone who may have been present at the above locations during August 11 to 15 is being urged to remain on high alert if a fever and/or unexplained rash develops. And just because someone may not be exhibiting symptoms now does not mean that person totally in the clear — measles symptoms can develop as long as 21 days after initial exposure.
If you do exhibit symptoms — which also include a cough, runny nose, and red eyes –medical experts advise staying home and contacting your doctor or medical provider for next steps, so as not to spread the disease.
Measles is a serious, highly contagious, and sometimes fatal infection caused by a virus.
Although it can almost always be prevented with the MMR vaccine, recent outbreaks have occurred in areas where the vaccination rates are low, and some cases have originated outside of the country where vaccine requirements may differ.
In fact, earlier this month, a 43-year-old Israeli mother passed away after contracting measles back in March and slipping into a coma. According to reports, Rotem Amitai had been vaccinated as a child for measles but only received one dosage, as was common for children in Israel at the time. As a result, the low dosage left her immune system weakened and unable to ward off the deadly virus.
Though Amitai exhibited symptoms a few days after getting off a flight from New York to Tel Aviv, it is still not known exactly when or where she contracted the illness.
If you, or someone you know, has fears about not being vaccinated against the illness, contact a medical provider ASAP.
A simple immunization check will make sure you're up to date not only for the measles vaccine but also for other important immunizations. In fact, it could prove life-saving — not just for yourself, but also for others — to have your immunization records checked at least a month before traveling to another country. That way, you not only lower your risk of contracting an illness while abroad but also of carrying it back home and spreading it to others.
