Orange County health officials have confirmed on Tuesday that a number of resort workers were diagnosed with measles, two of whom had been vaccinated.
"There is evidence of ongoing measles transmission in Orange County and at Disneyland Parks," Nicole Stanfield, spokeswoman for the Orange County Health Care Agency, said in a statement.
"Several Disneyland employees in multiple jurisdictions" have been diagnosed with measles, Stanfield said. "This is not unexpected."
The outbreak has sickened around 53 people in California, three other states and Mexico. This number appears to have doubled since last week.
The theme parks are taking all precautions to contain the outbreak.
In a statement released on Tuesday night, Pamela Hymel, the chief medical officer for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts said: “In an abundance of caution, we also offered vaccinations and immunity tests. To date, a few cast members have tested positive and some have been medically cleared and returned to work. Cast members who may have come in contact with those who were positive are being tested for the virus. While awaiting results, they have been put on paid leave until medically cleared.”
A Disney spokesperson said three of the employees contracted measles from Dec. 15 and Dec. 20. It’s unclear when the remaining two were infected and if they were vaccinated, Butler reported.
The spokesperson also said the three employees have recovered and have returned to work.
Eighteen people, including five children and 13 adults, have been reported to have measles in Orange County, California. Four of the children were never vaccinated while the adults’ immunization records are unclear.
Health officials are mainly concerned the growing measles outbreak could have its roots in the increasing number of parents who choose not to vaccinate their children.
