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3 Cases Of Measles Reported In OC

SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — There has been three confirmed cases of measles in Orange County over the past six weeks, according to health officials.

Two patients contracted the illness on trips to Asia. The other person had not traveled out of the country.

In all three cases, the afflicted went to local health care providers. More than 150 patients, as well as their friends and family, had to be evaluated. Many underwent testing and were vaccinated, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.

Officials are reminding people to get vaccinated.

"We don't see a lot of cases of measles in Orange County, but they certainly happen. And there's a reason we recommend kids… get their vaccines on a regular basis," said OC Medical Director of Epidemiology Matt Zahn.

Measles, which is considered to be highly infectious, can spread through direct contact or through the air.

Last year, the county only saw a single measles case.

(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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