Orange County health officials are bracing for a potential measles outbreak following the confirmation of a case linked to a tourist who visited popular spots near Disneyland. According to CBS Los Angeles, the tourist who tested positive had frequented several Anaheim establishments, potentially exposing other patrons.
Local health authorities urge that anyone who visited the Walmart at 1120 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim Global Medical Center Emergency Department at 1025 S. Anaheim Blvd., or the CVS Pharmacy at 1676 W. Katella Ave. during the specified time frames may have been exposed. As reported by CBS Los Angeles, Orange County Health Officer Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong emphasized that "Measles is highly contagious and can lead to severe disease in some individuals." Near Disneyland, measles might expose countless unknowing tourists to the virus.
The stakes have been heightened with the revelation that the infected individual had also traveled through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) before reaching Orange County. As peer KTLA, the person arrived on a Norse Atlantic Airways flight at the Tom Bradley International Terminal, and public health officials identified Terminal B as another exposure site between 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on July 26.
People who transited through the affected areas or were on the same flight are advised to check their measles vaccination status, with the Los Angeles County health officer, Dr. Muntu Davis, cautioning that "Measles spreads easily through the air and on surfaces and easily between people who are not already protected from it," as stated by KTLA. The risk of measles may no longer exist for those who do not develop symptoms by August 16, reflecting the incubation period of the virus. Meanwhile, measles symptoms, which can take between seven to 21 days post-exposure to appear, have officials on high alert.
