Measles Exposure Reported at SoCal Theme Park

Los Angeles County public health officials said on August 5 that a person with measles was infectious while visiting at least one public location in the county and may have exposed people at Universal Studios Hollywood. The county identified the location as Universal Studios Hollywood at 100 Universal City Plaza in Universal City and said the potential exposure window ran from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, July 26. People who were there during that period could develop symptoms 7 to 21 days after exposure, the county said. The last day to monitor for symptoms is August 16, according to the county. ### Which Southern California park was named, and when was the exposure window? Universal Studios Hollywood was the only public location named in the county’s August 5 release. Los Angeles County said the infected person was “infectious while visiting at least one public location in Los Angeles County” and that additional locations where exposures may have occurred were still being investigated. (publichealth.lacounty.gov) Sunday, July 26 is the date visitors should focus on. The county said anyone at the park between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. that day may have been exposed. ### What are health officials telling visitors to do now? Los Angeles County said people who were at the park during the listed hours should confirm whether they are protected against measles. (publichealth.lacounty.gov) The county said people who have had measles before or received the recommended measles vaccine are likely protected, though they should still watch for symptoms. People who are unimmunized or do not know their vaccination status face higher risk and should monitor closely, the county said. (publichealth.lacounty.gov) The county’s timetable is specific. Anyone who remains symptom-free for more than 21 days after exposure is no longer considered at risk, and for this exposure the monitoring period ends on August 16. ### How contagious is measles in a setting like a theme park? California health officials say measles spreads when an infected person speaks, coughs, sneezes or breathes, and the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after that person leaves. (publichealth.lacounty.gov) The California Department of Public Health says two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine provide 97% protection, while unvaccinated people are at high risk after exposure. (publichealth.lacounty.gov) CDC guidance says symptoms usually begin 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus and can include high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, followed later by a rash. CDC materials also say the rash can appear within a broader 7-to-21-day window after exposure, which matches the monitoring period cited by Los Angeles County. ### Who should think about vaccination or other follow-up? (cdph.ca.gov) CDC guidance says people exposed to measles who cannot readily show evidence of immunity should be offered post-exposure prophylaxis. CDC says the MMR vaccine is especially important for people without documented immunity and notes that some adults need one or two doses depending on risk, while certain higher-risk groups are recommended to have two documented doses. (cdc.gov) Muntu Davis, the Los Angeles County health officer, said in the county release that “the MMR vaccine is the safest and most reliable way to prevent measles and protect yourself, your family, and your community.” Davis said measles “can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death,” and urged residents to confirm immunity before traveling and attending crowded events. (cdc.gov) ### How many measles cases has California reported this year? California had reported 54 confirmed measles cases as of noon on August 3, according to the California Department of Public Health. The state page said the July count included three cases in Orange and Los Angeles counties, and that the most recent California case had a rash onset during the week ending August 2. (publichealth.lacounty.gov) Los Angeles County’s release did not identify the patient, say whether the person was a county resident, or say how the infection was acquired. The county said only that it was investigating a case involving a person who was infectious while visiting Los Angeles County. ### What should people watch for over the next 10 days? August 16 is the date Los Angeles County gave as the end of the risk window for people exposed at Universal Studios Hollywood on July 26. (cdph.ca.gov) The county said additional possible exposure locations remain under investigation, and CDC guidance says anyone who thinks they were exposed should contact a healthcare provider promptly, especially if they are unvaccinated or unsure of their immunity. (publichealth.lacounty.gov)