Measles quarantine issued at two L.A. universities

Measles quarantine orders have been issued for students who cannot prove evidence of immunizations at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and California State University Los Angeles (CSULA).

The universities are working with county health officials following a measles outbreak that was reported earlier this month.

The L.A. County Department of Public Health said Thursday that as many as 100 students at UCLA and possibly some at CSULA may be ordered to stay in their residences for up to 21 days from the date of last exposure.

“Dozens” of those orders have already been issued for students who were in the campus library at UCLA on April 11 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., officials said at a news conference.{mosads}

Students who have been exposed to measles and cannot provide evidence two doses of measles immunizations or lab verified immunity to measles will have be ordered to remain at their residences.

“Both universities are assisting with the implementation of quarantine orders and determining how best to support students who must be quarantined and who live on campus,” officials said, according to CBS’s Los Angeles affiliate.

UCLA Chancellor Gene Block released a statement Thursday confirming that one UCLA student contracted measles and attended class on three days — April 2, 4 and 9 — while contagious. 

The university immediately notified the more than 500 students, faculty and staff who the student may have come into contact with.

UCLA is “awaiting medical records from 119 students and eight faculty members to determine whether they are immune to the measles,” and will quarantine those individuals.

“A few may need to remain in quarantine for up to seven days,” Block said.