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January 14, 2015
Dear Parent/Guardian:
Measles has now been confirmed in ten Orange County residents, as part of an outbreak associated with exposure at the Disneyland or California Adventure theme parks in December, 2014. The initial illnesses were linked directly to the common theme park exposure. But these cases have been in public places throughout Orange County while infectious, and additional cases of measles are likely to occur.
Measles is an infection that spreads very easily through the air. Simply being in the same room with someone who has measles is enough to become infected. Because measles is so contagious, it can spread rapidly once introduced and cause outbreaks, especially in schools or day cares where immunization rates are low.
If your child has not received at least one dose of MMR and is exposed to measles, he/she may be excluded from attending school or child care to prevent further spread of disease. Information about exclusion of unimmunized students is available on the California Personal Beliefs Exemption form as well as in the California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Section 6060.
What can you do?
The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is safe and very effective at preventing measles infection. Two doses of MMR are routinely recommended for all children.
All parents and guardians should ensure that their children are up-to-date with their measles vaccination. Children should receive their first dose at MMR vaccine at 12-15 months of age and their second dose routinely at 4-6 years of age. If your child has not received the recommended doses, contact your health care provider as soon as possible to arrange for immunization. If you do not have a health care provider, you can call the Orange County Health Care Agency Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448. If you think your child has measles, call your health care provider and notify Orange County Public Health Epidemiology at 714-834-8180.
For more information about measles, see
http://ochealthinfo.com/phs/about/dcepi/epi/disease/measlesor call Orange County Public Health Epidemiology at 714-834-8180 and ask to speak to the Nurse of the Day. For questions about school exclusion for measles, call Pamela Kahn, R.N., Coordinator, Health and Wellness, Orange County Department of Education, at 714-327-1057.
Eric G. Handler, MD, MPH, FAAP Health Officer Orange County
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