7 Cases Of Measles Confirmed In Orange County
SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — Seven cases of measles have been confirmed in Orange County this year and authorities say the most recent cases spent time in public areas while contagious.
This year's cases of measles is consistent with an increase in the once nearly-eradicated disease seen throughout California.
"We expect to see additional measles cases in Orange County, increasing the likelihood that you or your family may be exposed to the disease," Orange County Public Health Officer Dr. Eric Handler said in a statement. "These new measles cases underscore the importance of making sure that you and your families are up to date with the MMR vaccination."
Measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that causes fever, rash, cough and red, watery eyes. The disease spreads very easily by air and by direct contacted with an infected person and is contagious from approximately four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appears.
The following places and times have been identified as potential exposure locations:
- St. Joseph Heritage Healthcare Medical Office, 4300 Rose Drive, Suite D, Yorba Linda
Monday, March 3 from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Friday, March 7 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. - Panda Express, 27602 Antonio Pkway, Ste G3, Ladera Ranch
Tuesday, March 4 from 1 to 3 p.m. - Friends Christian Elementary School, 5151 Lakeview Avenue, Yorba Linda
Wednesday, March 5 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. - Robinson Ranch School, 21400 Lindsay Drive, Trabuco Canyon
Thursday, March 6 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. - Placentia Linda Hospital Emergency Department, 1301 North Rose, Yorba Linda
Saturday, March 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Kids Doc, 27800 Medical Center Road, Mission Viejo
Sunday, March 9 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. - Mission Hospital Emergency Department, 27700 Medical Center Road, Mission Viejo
Sunday, March 9 from 9:50 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Monday, March 10 from 11:25 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Mission Hospital CHOC Pediatric Medical Surgical Department, 2770 Medical Center Road, Mission Viejo
Monday March 10 from 11:25 a.m. to Tuesday, March 11 at 4:30 p.m.
Authorities say anyone who has been in one of these locations during the times of potential exposure should review their vaccination history and talk with a health care provider about receiving MMR vaccination if they have not previously done so. They should also monitor themselves for illness with fever and/or unexplained rash from seven to 21 days after exposure.
In Los Angeles County, the Department of Health has confirmed 10 cases of measles -- eight of which are believed to be linked to international travel and two cases are currently under investigation.
"Because we have high vaccination rates, measles cases are rare and it is unusual to see this level of measles activity," the county's director of Public Health, Jonathan E. Fielding, said in a statement.
People who have not been vaccinated for measles and are exposed have a 90 percent chance of becoming infected, Fielding said.
