Update: Several Disneyland employees were diagnosed with Measles.
Five Disneyland employees have been diagnosed with measles as the disease continues to spread throughout the Mickey Mouse amusement park. Two of the infected employees were previously vaccinated for measles, and health officials are still looking to see if other workers had the vaccine, according to the Los Angeles Times.
“As soon as the OC Health Care Agency notified us on January 7, we immediately began to communicate to our Cast to raise awareness,” Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chief medical officer Dr. Pamela Hymel said in a statement. “To date, a few Cast Members have tested positive and some have been medically cleared and returned to work.” She added that employees who may have had contact with the affected individuals have been put on paid leave while they await test results. [via]
The Measles outbreak started after several people were exposed while visiting Disneyland and Disney California Adventure in mid December. Now, the disease is starting to affect those who were at the theme park outside of those dates. Currently, there are 53 cases of measles.
Disneyland, California has been linked to several measles cases.
According to reports, nine people have been infected with measles after visiting Disneyland between December 15th through December 20th.
According to NBC 4, nine people form California and Utah who visited the parks have contracted the disease.
“We are working with the health department to provide any information and assistance we can,” Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chief medical officer Dr. Pamela Hymel told NBC.
Six of the seven California patients were not vaccinated for measles, including two who were too young for the vaccine. Both Utah cases had not been vaccinated.
Measles patients can be infectious for up to nine days, and symptoms can include inflamed eyes, runny nose and a fever.
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