KUALA LUMPUR, August 26 — State health officials in the United States are currently on the lookout for cases of measles emerging from a visit by a teenager who was infected with the disease, to Disneyland and other popular attractions in Southern California.
The teenager girl was visiting from New Zealand from August 11 to August 15, and had gone to several major tourist spots including the Desert Palms Hotel, Disney California Adventure Park, Universal Studios, the TCL Chinese Theatre, Madame Tussauds and the Santa Monica Beach.
Entering the country, she also went through Los Angeles International Airport.
Her presence at these public, and often crowded locations have put people in those areas at risk of contracting the virus, said the Orange County Health Care Agency.
Health officials are currently locating individuals who may have been exposed or are already showing symptoms.
“For those who are not protected, measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that initially causes fever, cough, red, watery eyes and, finally, a rash,” said County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis.
“Measles is spread by air and by direct contact even before you know have it.”
This incident comes amid the largest measles outbreak in the country in 27 years.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 1,203 individual cases confirmed in 30 states, as of mid August.
In 2000, the country was declared measles-free but this changed when there was an increase in people being unvaccinated due to the anti-vaccination movement, and tourists and migrants bringing it into the country. There has now been a resurgence of the disease in many parts of the US.
