Health officials investigate measles outbreak in L.A. County

Public health officials have confirmed a measles outbreak in Los Angeles County, citing at least five existing cases and the first cases of transmission in the county this year.

None of the five cases are related to previous reports of four infected nonresidents traveling through the county, officials said Monday.

“We will likely see additional measles cases in Los Angeles County, so it is important if you or someone you know has the symptoms of measles or has been exposed to measles to contact your healthcare provider by phone right away before seeking treatment,” L.A. County Health Officer Muntu Davis said in a statement.

“The best way to protect yourself and to prevent the spread of measles is to get the measles immunization, with two doses of measles immunization being about 97% effective at preventing measles,” he added.{mosads}

Authorities said that the majority of cases were unvaccinated people.

Officials believe exposure may have occurred at five locations in the county, including Los Angeles International Airport, University of California at Los Angeles’s (UCLA) Franz Hall and Boelter Hall; California State University, Los Angeles’s main library; and two local restaurants.

The county noted that there is no known current measles risk existing in any of the locations, and said the public health department will continue monitoring for measles cases and identify anyone who may have come in contact with infected people.

The U.S. is on track to break its record for number of confirmed measles cases this year, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifying at least 626 cases in 22 states, the highest number reported in the U.S. in the last five years.

The worst year for the disease since measles was eliminated in 2000 was 2014, when there were 667 cases.