Measles Exposure Risk Identified at Major Airport and Theme Park, Health Officials Warn

Public health officials have issued an alert regarding potential measles exposure across multiple high-traffic locations in Southern California after an international traveler with the infectious disease visited the area. The traveler’s movements spanned from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to the popular Disneyland Resort.

According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH), the infected individual arrived at LAX’s Tom Bradley International Terminal B on January 26 aboard Viva Aerobus Flight 518. Anyone present in Terminal B between 10:45 p.m. on January 26 and 1:00 a.m. on January 27 may have been exposed to the highly contagious virus.

The traveler subsequently journeyed to Orange County, where several additional exposure points were identified by local health authorities. The Orange County Health Care Agency has highlighted specific exposure windows on January 28, including Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., as well as throughout Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure from 12:30 p.m. until park closure.

A third exposure location was identified on January 30 at a Dunkin’ Donuts in Woodland Hills, according to Los Angeles County health officials.

“People who were at these locations during these times may be at risk of developing measles from seven to 21 days after exposure,” the Orange County Health Care Agency stated in their public announcement. Health officials are advising anyone who visited these locations during the specified timeframes to verify their immunization status and monitor themselves for symptoms for the full 21-day incubation period.

The situation highlights ongoing concerns about measles outbreaks in the United States. The disease, once considered largely eliminated in the country, has seen a troubling resurgence in recent years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), measles is extraordinarily contagious – up to 90% of unprotected individuals exposed to an infected person will contract the disease.

Dr. Anissa Davis, deputy county health officer for Long Beach, California, emphasized the importance of vaccination. “Measles doesn’t only affect people who travel internationally – everyone is at risk if they’re not protected,” she said. “The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get vaccinated before exposure occurs.”

Public health departments in both Los Angeles and Orange County are continuing to track potential exposure sites and notify individuals who may be at elevated risk. They strongly recommend that people contact healthcare providers by phone before visiting a clinic if symptoms develop, to prevent further transmission of the virus.

Typical measles symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, followed by a distinctive rash that begins on the face and spreads downward. The contagious period spans from four days before the appearance of the rash to four days after its emergence, making early isolation critical for containing spread.

The incident comes amid concerning national trends. As of January 30, CDC data shows 588 confirmed measles cases in the United States already this year. This follows a significant surge in the previous year, which recorded 2,267 cases – the highest annual total in more than three decades.

Health officials attribute the resurgence to a combination of factors, including decreasing vaccination rates in some communities, increased international travel to regions where measles remains endemic, and the extreme contagiousness of the virus itself.

For those potentially exposed at any of the identified Southern California locations, health authorities stress the importance of limiting contact with others if symptoms develop and seeking immediate medical advice – preferably via telephone before visiting a healthcare facility to prevent further exposures.

The public health response underscores the challenges of managing highly infectious diseases in densely populated tourist destinations and transportation hubs, where a single case can potentially expose thousands of people from various regions.