One week after declaring a measles outbreak, Los Angeles County health officials on Tuesday said they are investigating another confirmed case after a sixth resident contracted the illness.
The person became infected while traveling overseas and arrived at Los Angeles International Airport last Tuesday, according to a news release from the county Department of Public Health.
The case is unrelated to others that recently prompted the quarantine of hundreds of students and staff members at UCLA and Cal State Los Angeles.
The unidentified individual is the sixth L.A. County resident to fall ill with the virus this year, health officials said. Five other cases have been reported among non-residents.
Most of the people who contracted measles were not vaccinated against the disease, the release stated.
The latest case prompted officials to warn of possible measles exposure in three locations at the following dates and times:
- LAX Tom Bradley International Terminal on April 23, from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m.
- Fox Auto Parks LAX Shuttle on April 23 from 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.
- Home Depot at 44226 20th St. W., Lancaster, on April 26 from 8 to 11 a.m.
Anyone who visited those venues during those dates and times could be at risk of developing measles within 21 days of exposure. However, there is no current risk to those visiting the locations, according to the health department.
More than 700 people have been infected with measles in the U.S. this year, the highest number of cases since 1994, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
To date, there have been 38 cases in California; local outbreaks have been declared in L.A., Sacramento and Butte counties, according to the CDC.
Also on Tuesday, health officials confirmed this year’s first measles case in Orange County. Residents were warned of possible exposure at sites the patient, a Placentia woman, visited in the past week, including an AMC theater and emergency room in Fullerton and office building in Santa Ana.
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses globally, according to the release. Common symptoms include fever, cough runny nose, and a rash that pops up 10 days to three weeks after exposure.
Anyone with symptoms should phone their healthcare provider prior to going to the doctor’s office.
Health officials also reminded the public that the best way to protect yourself and prevent measles from spreading is to get immunized against the virus.
Two doses of the vaccine are roughly 97 percent effective at preventing measles.
About 90 percent of unvaccinated individuals exposed to the illness will come down with it after exposure, the release stated.
More information about the measles can be found by going to the website publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/measles or dialing 211.
