Public health officials said that six cases of measles in San Bernardino County and five in Riverside County are part of a fast-spreading outbreak that began at the Disneyland resorts in December. Since then, 92 cases have been confirmed statewide, 59 of them linked to the amusement park exposure. It is the largest outbreak in California since 2000, the year measles was eliminated from the United States. The virus is easily spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can lead to severe complications, including encephalitis, pneumonia and death. Measles causes fever, cough and red, watery eyes followed by a rash that starts at the head and moves down the body. It is contagious from about four days before the rash appears to four days after. If you think you were exposed to measles:
• Monitor yourself for fever and/or an unexplained rash from 7 days to 21 days after the exposure.
• If symptoms develop, stay at home and call a health care provider immediately.
• Do not visit a health care provider without first notifying them of potential exposure.
COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS WARN OF MEASLES OUTBREAK
