Health News

Measles Outbreak Spreads, Infects 5 Disneyland Employees

Five employees at Anaheim, California’s Disneyland were diagnosed with measles.

Three of the five Disneyland employees have fully recovered and returned to work while the other two have yet to return to work, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts’ chief medical officer Dr. Pamela Hymel said, San Jose Mercury News reported.

The recent measles outbreak has been traced to Disney theme parks in California. The five employees infected worked at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure in Anaheim.

Hymel indicated that those suspected of having measles are placed on paid leave until their immunity has been established. She also said that park employees have been administered immunity tests and offered vaccinations in light of the January 7, 2015 outbreak.

Oregon recently became the latest state affected. State officials confirmed on Tuesday that a Eugene, OR man in his 40s had contracted the disease after he had visited Disney parks.

Cases have emerged in California, Utah, Washington, Colorado, Mexico, and now Oregon. Most, if not all, have been tied to the outbreak originating at the Disneyland and Disney Adventure Park in Anaheim, California.

As of Tuesday, the number of cases tallied 18. The “cast members” (what Disney calls their employees) were counted in the previous assessment of 16 reported cases. Orange County Health Care Agency spokeswoman Deanne Thompson indicated that six of the 18 cases had not been connected with the theme parks. Thompson indicated that the disease was “at large in the community” as of present.

It is at large in the community now, and particularly infants too young to be immunized, people with other health conditions and, of course, people who aren’t immunized need to be very concerned

The Los Angeles Times reported the California measles outbreak has expanded to 51 cases and that more were likely.

Are you planning on getting your measles vaccination?

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