Orange County health officials are sounding the alarm after confirming a child contracted measles after visiting Disneyland last week.

The Orange County Health Department announced Saturday that the child was an international traveler who arrived at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The person traveled to the Disneyland Resort on Wednesday. According to health officials, the range of potential exposure is:

• Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel, Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, Wednesday from 12:30pm until close.

Health officials said they are working with Disneyland to contact employees who may have been infected. Orange County health officials say visitors who were at the theme park during that time could be at risk of developing the disease seven to 21 days after exposure.

Dr. Daniel Critore, a pediatrician at Saint Joseph Heritage Providence, said measles is highly contagious.

“It’s very similar to these respiratory viruses, but it’s even more similar because it can be in closer proximity and can be transmitted when someone who has measles sneezes or coughs and transmits respiratory droplets,” she said. “And the room they were in will also remain contagious for at least two hours after they leave.”

Doctors say people who receive the measles vaccine once in their lifetime are completely protected from measles. People who are not vaccinated are at higher risk of getting sick.

Health officials are warning of at least five new measles cases in Southern California. Brittany Hope reports on NBC4 News on February 2, 2026 at 6 a.m.

“The best prevention is to get vaccinated, so if you’ve had the measles vaccine and you’ve had two doses of the measles vaccine at any point, which is usually given in childhood, your immunity lasts as you get older,” Crittore said.

Symptoms of the disease include a rash, high fever, and cough.

“It can start out like a cough from a cold. Sometimes a high fever is part of conjunctivitis,” says Crittore. “Then, on the third to fifth day, a typical measles rash appears, usually starting on the face and center of the body.”

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