In Los Angeles, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and California State University (CSU) have implemented quarantine measures for hundreds of students and staff amid concerns over measles exposure. The decision came after two students displayed symptoms linked to the highly contagious virus.
UCLA reported that health officials from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) notified the institution of a confirmed measles case involving one of its students. This individual attended classes while contagious, prompting alerts to nearly 500 individuals who may have been exposed. While many were able to provide vaccination proof, 119 students and eight faculty members could not and have been advised to remain home until cleared.
Chancellor Mark Rivers assured the university community that health experts are working closely with local officials to manage the situation. In a similar vein, CSU officials indicated that an individual potentially contagious with measles had visited Library North on April 11, leading to the quarantine of 127 staff members and 71 students. These individuals, too, will be allowed to resume their activities once they verify their vaccination status.
The LACDPH is collaborating with both universities to ensure the quarantine measures are effectively enforced and to support those affected, particularly students residing on campus. The California Department of Public Health has noted a recent spike in measles cases statewide, with the number rising from 23 to 38 in just a week. An official outbreak was declared on April 22 after five cases were confirmed, largely stemming from international travel.
Officials are urging everyone to get vaccinated before traveling and to ensure that unvaccinated children receive their vaccinations. Potential exposure locations include the campuses and the airport. Nationally, the measles outbreak has surged in 2019, with over 700 cases reported and dozens of hospitalizations, primarily among individuals who have not been vaccinated.
The cause of this resurgence can often be traced back to international travel to areas where the disease is more prevalent and the spread of misinformation surrounding vaccinations. The anti-vaccination movement is contributing to a decline in immunization rates, complicating efforts to control outbreaks. Health authorities stress that two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective in preventing measles.
Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but the rising number of cases highlights a growing trend of vaccine hesitancy, both domestically and abroad. Given the virus’s highly contagious nature and its potential severe health consequences, widespread vaccination is the most effective strategy to prevent future outbreaks.
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In summary, two universities in LA have quarantined hundreds due to measles exposure, reflecting a growing concern as cases rise across the nation. Vaccination remains the best defense against this preventable disease.
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