A s measles outbreaks spread nationally and globally, cases are emerging in the Southland, including one confirmed Monday in an international tourist who arrived at Los Angeles International Airport and then went to a Disney park.
In the previous week, Orange County has confirmed two instances and Los Angeles County has confirmed three, with the most recent Los Angeles case reported Monday evening in a resident who visited a Sherman Oaks restaurant while infectious.
All infections have so far been reported in persons who have traveled internationally, and public health officials in both counties are advising citizens to be vaccinated.
"Measles does not only affect people who travel internationally; everyone is at risk if they are not protected," said Dr. Anissa Davis, Orange County's deputy county health officer, in a press release. "Because measles is extremely contagious, it can spread swiftly within communities, even among people who have not traveled. The best approach to protect yourself and your loved ones is to be vaccinated before being exposed.
Why This News Matters:
It's scary that measles is spreading again in the US and around the world. Many cases of public health experts in Southern California have linked to people who traveled abroad. One of these things is being around a lot of people at Disneyland and a popular restaurant in Sherman Oaks. This story makes it clear how important it is to get vaccinated right away. Measles spreads quickly, especially in places where not enough people get vaccinated. If you were in a public place like LAX or a Disney park and think you might have been exposed, you should watch for symptoms and talk to your doctor. This is a strong reminder of how quickly diseases can spread when not many people are protected.
Exposure Locations and Risk for Disneyland Visitors
According to an Orange County Health Care Agency news release, an infected person visited Goofy's Kitchen at Downtown Disney from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, followed by Disney California Adventure Park from 12:30 p.m. to closing.
According to a news release from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, an infected person attended Mardi Gras Tuesday restaurant at 14543 Ventura Blvd. on Jan. 24 between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
People who were present at such locations are at risk of contracting measles seven to 21 days after being exposed, according to the announcements. Visitors to the amusement park on Wednesday were encouraged to consult their healthcare professional about vaccination and immunity status.
Exposure Sites in L.A. and Orange Counties
On Monday, January 26, the infected individual arrived at Tom Bradley International Airport (Terminal B) by Viva Aerobus Flight 518 at Gate 201A.
Health professionals have identified many specific exposure windows:
- LAX Terminal B: Monday, January 26 (10:45 p.m.) through Tuesday, January 27 (1 a.m.).
- Disneyland Resort will be open on Wednesday, January 28, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., as well as Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure (12:30 p.m. to closing time).
- Dunkin' Donuts (Woodland Hills): Friday, Jan. 30, at 22020 Ventura Blvd. (3 p.m.–4:45 p.m.).
"Measles is a serious respiratory disease that spreads quickly through the air and on surfaces, especially among people who are not already immune," said Dr. Muntu Davis, LA County Health Officer. He explained that a person can spread the sickness for four days before a rash shows.
Vaccination and Symptoms Monitoring Advice
Health experts say that if you were in any of the exposure locations, you should do the following:
- Check Your Immunity: Check to see if you have had the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) shot.
- Watch for symptoms like a fever, cough, red, watery eyes, and a rash that starts on the head.
- Call Ahead: If you start to feel sick, remain home and call your doctor before going to the clinic so you don't spread the illness to other people in the waiting area.
- Immediate Action: If you were exposed in the recent seven days, talk to a doctor about getting a preventive vaccine or immune globulin.
Dr. Danielle Curitore, a physician at Saint Joseph Heritage Providence, said measles is extremely contagious.
"Very similar to these respiratory viruses, but even more so because it can be in a close setting and if that person with measles sneezes or coughs and transmits some respiratory droplets, you are exposed," she told me. "And that room that they've been in is also contagious for at least two hours after they left."
Doctors claim that persons who have had the measles vaccination once in their lives are entirely protected from the disease. Those who have not received the vaccine are at a higher risk of disease.
The disease's symptoms include rash, fever, and cough.
"Sometimes it just starts out like the common cold cough congestion: high fever sometimes conjunctivitis can be part of it," he explained. "Then day three to five, you get that very classic measles rash, which usually starts on the face, center of the body."
Ongoing Investigation of Exposure Sites
Health officials are still investigating other potential exposure sites in Los Angeles County. While the CDC is contacting passengers sat next to the traveler on Flight 518, the total number of people exposed at Disneyland—a "densely populated area"—is unknown.
The L.A. and Orange County health officials identified the virus on Jan. 31, with monitoring deadlines extending until mid-February for various exposure locations:
- February 16: Monitoring deadline for those exposed at LAX.
- February 18: Monitoring deadline for those exposed in Disneyland.
- February 20: The final monitoring deadline for those exposed at Dunkin' Donuts.
In the last few years, there have been more cases of measles in the US as fewer people have gotten vaccinated. This has let the virus, which spreads easily, spread in places where not many people are vaccinated.
The CDC says that from 2014 to 2024, there were 3,246 confirmed cases of measles in the US. In 2025, there were 2,267 cases, the most in a year since the early 1990s.
The US has confirmed 588 cases of measles this year, the most for January since the disease was declared extinct in 2000.
