Muntu Davis said people who visited Universal Studios Hollywood on Sunday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. could have been exposed after a person with measles spent 11 hours at the park. The Los Angeles County Public Health Department issued the warning on Wednesday and told exposed visitors to watch for symptoms through Aug. 16.
Muntu Davis and the warning
Davis, the county public health officer, said: "With summer travel underway, the risk of exposure to infectious diseases may increase." He also said: "We urge everyone to confirm their immunity and get the MMR vaccine if needed, especially before traveling and attending crowded events."
People who were at the park during the exposure window may develop measles seven to 21 days after exposure. Anyone who stays symptom-free for more than 21 days after exposure is no longer considered at risk, which gives visitors a clear cutoff date to use if they are tracking whether the warning still applies to them.
California and measles cases
The warning comes as measles cases in California had doubled as of July compared with last year. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 93% of confirmed measles cases are associated with outbreaks, and there have been 34 new outbreaks reported so far this year.
The county department said measles spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes, and the virus can remain in the air and on surfaces for many hours after that person leaves. It also said an infected person can spread measles up to four days before a rash appears and up to four days after the rash appears.
Aug. 16 symptom window
People at higher risk of complicated symptoms include pregnant people, babies younger than 12 months, and individuals with a weakened immune system or who have not been immunized. The California Department of Public Health said a severe case can cause pneumonia, encephalitis, hospitalization and sometimes death.
The practical next step for anyone who was at Universal Studios Hollywood on July 26 is to check immunity and watch for symptoms until Aug. 16. People who cross that 21-day mark without symptoms fall outside the risk window tied to this exposure.
