Orange County health officials have confirmed a second measles case linked to a visitor who spent time at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California in January 2026. This diagnosis arrives just one week after the first Disneyland-related case was reported — underscoring how swiftly measles can spread when it finds unprotected people.
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Orange County officials report a second measles case linked to a Disneyland visitor |
What we know: exposure details
According to the county health department, the newly confirmed case was present at the following locations on January 22, 2026:
- Disneyland Park: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Disney California Adventure: 3 p.m. – closing
These overlapping intervals mean that visitors present during those time windows may have been exposed to the virus.
Measles risk window
Measles has a well-established incubation period. If you were at either park during the exposure times above:
- Monitor for symptoms for 7–21 days after January 22.
- That means you could develop symptoms anytime between January 29 and February 12.
This window reflects the time it takes between infection and when the virus begins to make a person sick — and contagious.
Case counts: tracking the outbreak
- This newly confirmed infection is Orange County’s third measles case in 2026.
- Los Angeles County has also reported three cases so far this year.
For public health, every additional case represents a fresh chain of transmission that could expand if unchecked.
What you should do now
Check your MMR vaccination status.
- Two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine are highly effective at preventing infection.
- If your records are incomplete or you’re unsure, contact your healthcare provider or local health department.
If you were exposed within the past 7 days:
- Ask about receiving MMR vaccine (if eligible) or
- Immune globulin (a dose of concentrated antibodies) to reduce illness severity.
Who is at highest risk?
Certain groups face greater danger from measles complications and may be prioritized for immune globulin:
- Infants under 12 months who are too young for routine vaccination
- Pregnant individuals without documented measles immunity
- Immunocompromised people (e.g., undergoing cancer treatment, organ transplant recipients)
Watch for symptoms
If you were at Disneyland on January 22, be alert for symptoms beginning 7–21 days after exposure:
Common early symptoms include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
These are often followed by a measles rash — starting on the face and spreading down the body.
If any of these symptoms develop, don’t just show up at a clinic or emergency department.
Call ahead before seeking care so providers can prepare isolation measures to protect other patients and staff.
A prevention message worth repeating
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known — it can linger in air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves. But there’s good news:
Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide strong protection.
High vaccine coverage doesn’t just protect you — it protects your community.
If this situation has a lesson, it’s this: knowledge and action empower us. Check your vaccination status. Talk to your healthcare provider. And stay informed. With the right tools, we can slow the spread of measles — and protect the most vulnerable among us.
Let’s turn awareness into prevention.
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