The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed the first case of measles in 2019, a resident of Placentia in her 20s who reported recent international travel to one of many countries currently experiencing widespread measles activity. The individual is considered infectious between April 23 and May 1, 2019 and is currently under voluntary isolation at home.

Orange County residents may have been exposed to measles since the ill person visited public locations while infectious. Community members with questions related to measles or potential exposure to this case may call the HCA Health Referral Line at 1 (800)-564-8448.

The HCA has been working with the facilities listed below to contact people who may have been exposed to this case and who are at increased risk of severe outcomes, such as infants, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems.

Potential exposure locations and times:

• 5 Hutton Centre Dr., Santa Ana, CA 92707 on April 23 – 25 from 7:45 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. daily
• St. Jude Emergency Department, 101 E. Valencia Mesa Dr., Fullerton, CA 92835 on April 27 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
• AMC Movie Theater, 1001 S. Lemon St., Fullerton, CA 92832 on April 25 from 11 p.m. – April 26 at 4 a.m.

People who were in the location(s) above around the same time as the individual with measles should:

• Review their vaccination history if they have not previously had measles; people who have not had measles or the measles vaccine are at higher risk after an exposure, so they should talk with a health care provider about receiving Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination.
• Monitor themselves for illness with fever and/or an unexplained rash from 7 days to 21 days after their exposure (the time period when symptoms may develop); if symptoms develop, stay at home and call a health care provider immediately.
• Although this is the first case confirmed in the county this year, an increase in measles cases has been reported throughout the U.S. and globally. Additional cases and exposures may occur here related to returning travelers and Orange County residents are encouraged to be up-to-date with their vaccinations.

“Measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that causes fever, rash, cough, and red, watery eyes,” said Dr. Nichole Quick, Interim County Health Officer. “It spreads very easily by air and by direct contact with an infected person, and is contagious from approximately four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appears. The MMR vaccine is a simple, inexpensive, and very effective measure to prevent the spread of this serious virus.”

For more information about measles, visit www.cdc.gov/measles or www.ochealthinfo.com/measles.