Universal Studios visitors told to check symptoms after ‘one of the world's most contagious viruses’ is confirmed
Visitors to Universal Studios have been given a timeline of 10 days to check for symptoms of measles after health officials warned that a patient had been present at the theme park with the disease.
Public health officials said that a person infected with measles, which is highly contagious, had spent around 11 hours at Universal Studios, meaning there is a possibility that other visitors were exposed to the condition.
Los Angeles County Public Health Department has said that the incident happened between 10am and 9pm on Sunday July 26, and has now issued a warning to anyone who was in the park at this time.
Muntu Davis, a county public health officer, said: “As measles cases increase, it is important that residents take steps to make sure they are fully protected.
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"The MMR vaccine is the safest and most reliable way to prevent measles and protect yourself, your family, and your community."
Davis added: “Measles spreads easily and can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death. With summer travel underway, the risk of exposure to infectious diseases may increase.
"We urge everyone to confirm their immunity and get the MMR vaccine if needed, especially before traveling and attending crowded events. Taking this simple step helps safeguard your health and strengthens protection for our entire community.”
A warning from health officials has said that if someone is infected with measles then they typically show symptoms between seven and 21 days after their initial exposure to the condition.
Anyone present at the park was advised to monitor their health for any signs of measles for this period.
The exposure day was on July 26, and the final date for symptoms to develop has been given as August 16, meaning that there are 10 more days in which people may begin to show symptoms.
Cleveland Clinic lists some common symptoms of measles as including 'high fever, barky cough, red or bloodshot eyes, runny nose, tiredness, red spots with white centers in your mouth (Koplik’s spots), rash, digestive symptoms, like diarrhea, stomach pain and vomiting, sore throat, muscle pain, headache'.
Someone who is infected can spread the disease for approximately four days until a rash appears, and then around four days after it appears, the county department said.
Measles is an airborne condition, and spreads when someone breathes, sneezes, coughs, and even talks.
Not only that, but the disease can remain on surfaces and in the air after an infected person has left, meaning that someone can be infected by breathing in that air or touching the surface before then touching their mouth, nose, or eyes.
Measles can also lead to more serious health complications in people who are pregnant or immunocompromised, especially if they are not vaccinated.
In serious cases, measles can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis, which is where the brain become inflamed, and can be fatal.
If you are symptom free for 21 days after a potential exposure then you are no longer considered to be at risk.
“These individuals should confirm their protection against measles,” the department said.
“Those who have had measles in the past or received the recommended measles vaccine are likely protected but should still monitor for symptoms.”
Kit Roberts