The Panther Newspaper: It’s a small world, Disney is ground zero for outbreak

A family brings its unvaccinated child to Disneyland, who interacts with a cast member. That cast member contracts measles from that child and goes into a break room, passing the airborne virus along to three other cast members.

Those who get measles experience a variety of symptoms that can lead to death in the most severe cases.

The United States is currently experiencing a measles outbreak in six states, which originated from the Disneyland Resort Theme Parks between Dec. 28, 2014 and Jan. 21, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC has reported 103 cases of measles linked to the parks and 125 cases in total.

“Measles is a virus that is highly contagious,” said Jacqueline Deats, a nurse practitioner at the student health center. “It has been around for years but, due to vaccines, has been controlled.”

Measles affects several parts of the body. The symptoms marked with (s) are more severe.

Graphic by Ronnie Kaufman, Art Director.

Typically, symptoms of measles begin to appear about seven to 14 days after exposure. Signs of infection are small, white Koplik spots in the mouth, fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. Three to five days after symptoms start, a full-body rash breaks out and persists for a few days until it subsides on its own, according to the CDC. 

In more severe cases, complications including blindness, brain swelling, diarrhea and dehydration, ear infections or respiratory infections can occur in patients younger than five or older than 20, according to the World Health Organization.

If a student contracted measles, Deats said they would have to quarantine them for 21 days or until they tested negative for the illness. Deats handled one potential measles case in fall 2013.

“We had the health department involved, and fortunately it was a negative case,” Deats said. “But until we had proof from the health department, we did quarantine that student.” 

Deats said to prevent yourself from contracting measles, you must get vaccinated or avoid going in public. 

“If you’re not vaccinated, you can just be in the vicinity, be exposed and ultimately get ill,” Deats said.

The measles outbreak has been an eye-opening experience for many people, according to Deats. 

“I think it’s made students and members of the Chapman community aware that we’re not immune to everything,” Deats said. “We have to continue to follow good hand-washing (routines) and making sure our immunizations are up to date.” 

Lisa Sparks, founding director of the health and strategic communication program, doesn’t think the outbreak affects students enough to interest them.

“I don’t think students are paying much attention unless we ‘health communicators’ bring it up in class,” Sparks wrote in an e-mail.

Health communicators play an important role in explaining and providing credible health information so people can make informed choices, Sparks wrote.

“Science consistently shows that vaccinations are essential to the nation’s health,” Sparks wrote. 

Gabe Figueroa, a senior film production and theatre major, works for the Disneyland Resort and said he was probably there the day the infected guests were at the park. 

“I think I was working the day those initial guests visited, but the official knowledge that the measles outbreak did occur didn’t come out until two or three weeks after they arrived,” Figueroa said. 

Figueroa said Disneyland had to take some action after the outbreak. 

“The cast members who contracted the measles were given medical leave until the period of contagion was past,” Figueroa said. “There was also an official statement by the resort coordinator and the head of the health and safety department. They gave a general statement that said it’s not just exclusive to the theme park, it can happen anywhere.” 

Figueroa was vaccinated as a child and believes vaccinations are a really good thing. 

“If you do make the choice of not vaccinating your child and they do come up with some sort of sickness, have the courtesy to not bring them into a very big, public space,” Figueroa said. “This entire incubation could have been avoided if it wasn’t for one selfish family going to the park.” 

Disneyland is safe to visitfor those who have been vaccinated, but those who haven’t been vaccinated are cautioned to stay away until further notice, according to the Associated Press. 

Photo courtesy Josh Hallett.