SACRAMENTO (KRON) — There are now 59 confirmed cases of measles in California, according to new numbers from the state health department.
Of those 59, 42 are linked to an initial exposure over the holidays at Disneyland or Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim. Five of those are Disney employees.
“If you have symptoms, and believe you may have been exposed, please contact your health care provider. Unless you have an emergency, it is best to contact your health care provider by phone to prevent spread in doctor’s offices.” said state health department director Ron Chapman. “The best way to prevent measles and its spread is to get vaccinated.”
In addition, health officials say there are several “secondary” cases involving people exposed by the original 59 patients.
There are measles patients currently in three Bay Area counties, Alameda, Santa Clara, and San Mateo. The rest of the cases are in Southern California.
“As soon as the OC (Orange County) Health Care Agency notified us on January 7, we immediately began to communicate to our Cast to raise awareness,” Disney Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pamela Hymel said in a written statement. “In an abundance of caution, we also offered vaccinations and immunity tests. To date, a few Cast Members have tested positive and some have been medically cleared and returned to work. Cast Members who may have come in contact with those who were positive are being tested for the virus. While awaiting results, they have been put on paid leave until medically cleared.”
If your or your children haven’t been vaccinated for the measles, you are at high risk of getting the disease, Dr. Chapman says.