Health officials confirm 1 case of measles in Los Angeles County

A person infected with measles recently traveled throughout Los Angeles County, and health officials on Saturday warned of possible exposure at multiple locations.

State health officials notified the LA County Department of Public Health that the person infected with measles, who is not a county resident, traveled throughout the area from Saturday, March 30 to Sunday, April 1.

Anyone who was at the these locations during the dates and times below may be at risk of developing measles within 21 days from the exposure date, officials said:

Saturday, March 30, 2024

• Sheraton Gateway Hotel Gym — 6101 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles (5:30-8 a.m.)
• Denny’s – 5535 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles (time not yet determined)
• Universal Studios – 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City
• Buca Di Beppo – 1000 Universal Studios Blvd., Universal City (approximately noon)
• Cletus Chicken Shack in Universal Studies — 100 Universal City Plaza (approximately 4 p.m.)
• Lard Lad Doughnuts and EC Food Truck in Universal Studios — 100 Universal City Plaza (time not yet determined)
• Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream — 445 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills (time not yet determined)
• Sheraton Gateway Hotel — 6101 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles

Sunday, March 31

• Sheraton Gateway Hotel Gym — 6101 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles (5:30-8 a.m.)
• Jack in the Box — 1127 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood (approximately 11 a.m.)
• Santa Monica Pier
• Pier Gear — 380 Santa Monica Pier #1 (time not yet determined)
• El Torito Mexican Restaurant — 13715 Fiji Way, Marina Del Rey (6-8 p.m.)
• Sheraton Gateway Hotel — 6101 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles

Monday, April 1

• Sheraton Gateway Hotel — 6101 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles
• Denny’s – 5535 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles (time not yet determined)

More locations where possible exposures may have taken place are under investigation, officials said, adding that people who were at the locations above should confirm if they have been vaccinated against measles. People who have not had the measles vaccine or had the virus in the past are at risk of developing measles from seven to 21 days following exposure.

If measles does not develop after 21 days, health experts consider exposed individuals to be no longer at risk.

“Measles is spread by air and by direct contact even before you know you have it and can lead to severe disease,” LA County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis said in a statement. “Measles is highly contagious for those who are not immune to it. Initially causing fever, cough, red, watery eyes, and followed by a rash, it can result in serious complications for young children and vulnerable adults.”

Health officials advised anyone present at the above locations to:

• Review their immunization and medical records to determine if they are protected against measles. People who have not had a measles infection or received the measles vaccine previously may not be protected from the virus and should speak with a health care professional about getting measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, immunization.
• Notify their health care providers as soon as possible if potentially exposed people are pregnant, infants, have weakened immune systems or are not immunized regardless of their vaccination history.
• Monitor themselves for illness with fever and/or an unexplained rash from seven to 21 days after exposure.
• If symptoms develop, stay at home and avoid school, work and large gatherings. Call a health care provider immediately and do not enter a health care facility before calling to inform the staff of the measles exposure and symptoms.

“Public Health can assist health care providers in appropriately diagnosing and managing your care,” according to the county statement.

Common symptoms for measles include a high fever above 101 degrees F; cough; runny nose; red and watery eyes; tiny white spots that may appear inside the mouth two or three days following the start of symptoms; and a rash three to five days after other symptoms appear.

“The ‘measles rash’ typically starts at the face and then spreads down to the rest of the body,” officials said.

The measles vaccine is “highly effective,” according to the Public Health Department. Two doses are 97% effective against infection, and one dose is 93% effective. The spread of measles is preventable if 95% of county residents receive two-dose coverage of the vaccine.

A list of clinics that offer free or low-cost vaccines for the uninsured or underinsured is available by calling 211 or online at http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/ip/clinics.htm.

There has been one other reported measles case in LA County in 2024, officials said.

A total of 121 measles cases have been reported In in the United States this years, according to county health officials. That more than doubles the cases reported in all of 2023, and 56% of this year’s cases required hospitalization for measles complications or isolation. Most of these cases occurred in people who were not immunized.  

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