Thursday 8 January 2015

Measles Outbreak Associates With Visits Disney

According to Sky news, nine cases of measles have been confirmed in people who visited Disney theme parks in California in mid-December, health officials said.
The officials urged anyone who may have been exposed to contact a doctor.
Seven of the nine are Californians, while two are from Utah.
Three more California residents are suspected of having measles.

All patients with confirmed or suspected cases of the illness visited Disneyland or Disney California Adventure between 15 and 20 December, according to the California's Department of Public Health.

The park draws millions of visitors every year

"Based on information from current cases, it is likely that a person infectious with measles was at one of the theme parks on these dates," said Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health.

"If you have symptoms, and believe you may have been exposed, please contact your health care provider," he said.
"The best way to prevent measles and its spread is to get vaccinated."

He said the infected patients ranged in age from eight months to 21 years and that six were unvaccinated for measles, two of them because they were too young. One of the patients had received the appropriate vaccination.

Disney officials said they had not received any reports of staff contracting measles. Park officials are working with the health department to provide any necessary information, said Dr Pamela Hymel, chief medical officer for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that lives in an infected person's nose and throat mucus and spreads through coughing and sneezing.

Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes and a red rash that usually first appears on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. 

 

Skynews

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