A third case of measles linked to visits to the Disney theme parks in Orange County has been reported in Utah County, and this brings to total of 41 cases since the measles outbreak was first reported.
According to the Utah County health officials, the recently infected person is just under 18 and not immunized for measles. He must have come into contact with two persons who were possibly at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park around mid-December.
Health officials are of the opinion that most of the infection children were not immunized – even though no other person has gotten infected because the person is currently under quarantine.
The vast majority of infections have occurred within California, even though it has also spread to four US states and Mexico.
Utah County health officials have advised people to get vaccinated so as to reduce the spread of the infection because vaccination beats down the severity of the disease.
“From an informed consumer’s perspective, what I have found are gaps in the vaccine safety science that need to be filled,” said Barbara Loe Fisher, director of the National Vaccine Information Center, a Virginia-based nonprofit group that opposes compulsory immunization. “We do not truly understand the scope of vaccine injury. … We need to give respect to parents who are trying to do the best for their children.”
And since the Disneyland measles outbreak has served as an instructive reminder of the dangers of failing to get vaccinated, Dr. Eric McDonald, the deputy public health officer for San Diego County said “This is an opportunity for everyone to re-evaluate their status, especially for measles,” he said.