Measles Outbreak 2019: New Zealand Tourist May Have Exposed Hundreds To Disease In Disneyland Visit

A New Zealand tourist visiting Disneyland may have exposed hundreds of park-goers to measles.

The teenage girl made Southern California visits to Disneyland, Universal Studios and Madame Tussauds but her trip was cut short after it was learned she had the measles, a highly contagious airborne disease.

Los Angeles and Orange County health officials have issued public health alerts, complete with dates and locations the girl had visited. These alerts included signs and precautions to take should symptoms of measles begin to show themselves, along with checking vaccinations.

Orange County’s Health Care Agency also said it was working with the locations the teen visited to get in touch with anyone who may have come in close contact. Other locations mentioned include the TCL Chinese Theatres, Desert Palms Hotel, Santa Monica Pier and Los Angeles International Airport.

“We were notified that the tourist visited multiple Southern California locations and have been advised by Orange County Health Care Agency that the risk to cast and guests is likely low,” Disney Parks chief medical officer Dr. Pamela Hymel said in a statement.

It’s also the latest measles scare to hit somewhere in the U.S. during a year where the virus has seen record numbers across the country. New York State, alone, has had to contend with multiple outbreaks spread from New York City to Rockland County.

While the number of cases is lower than in other areas, California has also been contending with this year's measles outbreak. Los Angeles County has confirmed 16 residential cases of measles, along with 11 cases involving visitors.

The U.S. has been hit with the highest number of measles cases since the early 1990s.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there have been over 1,200 cases of measles in 30 states in 2019.