Arizona is monitoring 1,000 people for measles linked to Disneyland outbreak

(Image credit: Facebook.com/Disneyland)

Arizona health officials are keeping tabs on 1,000 people, including almost 200 children, who may have been exposed to measles at the Phoenix Children's East Valley Medical Center.

Hundreds of people may have been exposed to measles after a second case stemming from the outbreak at Disneyland was diagnosed. After a family of four was diagnosed with the virus while vacationing in Disneyland earlier this month, California has detected up to 60 cases of measles, while a handful of other states have reported several cases.

Health officials have traced both of Maricopa County's confirmed measles cases to the measles outbreak at the theme park. The hospital has not provided information about the infected woman, but said that those who may have been exposed were notified and asked to remain at home for a 21-day observation period.

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The U.S. declared measles eradicated in 2000, but the Arizona Department of Health Services notes that the spread of the recent outbreak is likely connected to parents not vaccinating children in recent years. County health officials told The Phoenix New Times that unvaccinated people can contract the disease simply by being in the same room as someone with measles. Health officials noted that the measles vaccine is 99 percent effective and recommended that children without the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine stay home from schools in the county for the next 21 days.

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Meghan DeMaria

Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.