CALIFORNIA—Officials said there has been evidence that the outbreak of measles has been linked to people that visited Disneyland between December 17 and December 20, 2014. Since then, 51 cases of the illness has doubled, infecting people in larger communities.
The kindergarten measles vaccination rates have been falling almost every year since 2002 in the state, but the virus now appears to be spreading rapidly.
California is looking at 45 cases in measles throughout its counties. Orange County being the latest county where the virus has spread.There has been 16 confirmed cases in the county.
County health officials said there were six new cases of measles diagnosed among people who did not visit Disneyland before Christmas. State officials said there were two more such cases in Ventura County, and one in Alameda County.
Orange County Health Officer, Eric Handler, warned that students not vaccinated for measles may be excluded from attending school or day-care to prevent further spread of disease.
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known and can be especially severe in babies, toddlers, pregnant women, and other adults as well. Officials are urging people suspected of having the measles, to first call their health provider before going to a clinic.
Symptoms of the measles include- coughing, sneezing, fever, redness of the eyes, and a runny nose.
