Public health authorities have issued a measles alert after confirming that an infected individual an international traveler visited several high-traffic locations in Los Angeles and Orange counties while contagious, potentially exposing thousands of residents and visitors.

According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the patient arrived on Monday, January 26, at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), specifically at the Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B), aboard Viva Aerobus Flight 518, which arrived at gate 201A.

Potential mass exposure sites

Health officials outlined the locations and timeframes during which exposure to the virus may have occurred:

* LAX, Terminal B: Monday, January 26, from 10:45 p.m. to Tuesday, January 27, at 1:00 a.m.

* Disneyland Resort: Wednesday, January 28, including:

* Goofy’s Kitchen, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

* Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, from 12:30 p.m. until closing.

* Dunkin’ Donuts (Woodland Hills): Friday, January 30, at 22020 Ventura Blvd., between 3:00 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.

“Measles is a serious respiratory disease that spreads very easily through the air and via contact with surfaces, particularly among unvaccinated individuals,” warned Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County Health Officer. He also noted that a person can transmit the virus up to four days before the characteristic rash appears.

So far this year, the United States has reported 588 confirmed measles cases, the highest number recorded in a single January since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. Most cases are linked to ongoing outbreaks in South Carolina, Arizona, and Utah.

Spanish version: Alerta por sarampión en parques Disneyland y otros sitios turísticos en California

Authorities continue to investigate additional potential exposure sites in Los Angeles County. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are contacting passengers who were seated near the infected traveler on Flight 518, the total number of people who may have been exposed at Disneyland considered a densely populated venue remains unknown.

Case timeline

* January 26: Patient arrives at LAX on Viva Aerobus Flight 518.

* January 28: Patient visits Disneyland Resort and Goofy’s Kitchen.

* January 30: Patient visits Dunkin’ Donuts in Woodland Hills.

* January 31: Case confirmed by Los Angeles and Orange County health departments.

* February 16: Monitoring deadline for those exposed at LAX.

* February 18: Monitoring deadline for those exposed at Disneyland.

* February 20: Final monitoring deadline for exposure at Dunkin’ Donuts.

Health officials urge anyone who visited the listed locations to take the following steps:

* Check vaccination status: Confirm receipt of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine.

* Monitor symptoms: Watch for fever, cough, red or watery eyes, and a rash that typically begins on the head.

* Call before seeking medical care: If symptoms develop, stay home and contact a healthcare provider first to prevent further exposure.

* Act quickly: If exposure occurred less than seven days ago, consult a healthcare professional about receiving a preventive vaccine or immune globulin.