In Los Angeles, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and California State University (CSU) have initiated quarantine measures for hundreds of students and staff after confirmed cases of measles were reported on campus. Following notifications from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH), both institutions took swift action to protect their communities.
UCLA announced that one of its students tested positive for measles and attended classes while contagious. In response, the school promptly informed approximately 500 students and staff about potential exposure, requiring proof of vaccination to resume normal activities. Those unable to provide documentation—119 students and eight faculty members—were instructed to remain at home until they are cleared.
Chancellor Mark Thompson reassured the community, stating, “Our campus health experts are collaborating closely with local health authorities to ensure proper care and communication with those affected.”
Simultaneously, CSU reported that an individual who may have been contagious visited Library North on April 11, prompting the quarantine of 127 employees and 71 students. Similar to UCLA, these individuals were also permitted to return to their regular routines upon verification of their vaccination status.
The California Department of Public Health has indicated a troubling rise in measles cases, noting an increase from 23 to 38 confirmed cases within the past week alone. The state had reported only 11 cases in the entirety of the previous year. On April 22, LA County officially declared a measles outbreak after five cases were confirmed, linking the spread to international travel. The authorities emphasized the importance of vaccinations, particularly for those planning to travel, and highlighted the need for vaccinating unprotected children.
Nationally, the situation is alarming, with over 700 measles cases reported in the United States this year, and the majority of affected individuals are unvaccinated. This surge in outbreaks is attributed to international travel to areas where measles is prevalent, exacerbated by a growing vaccine hesitancy fueled by misinformation and the anti-vaccination movement.
Two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine are 97 percent effective against measles. Although the disease was declared eradicated in the U.S. in 2000, vaccination rates are declining, leading to an increase in cases. Measles is extremely contagious and can result in severe health consequences or even death. To prevent further outbreaks, it is crucial for everyone to get vaccinated.
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In summary, UCLA and CSU are taking proactive measures to mitigate the measles outbreak by quarantining affected individuals and ensuring that vaccination documentation is provided. As measles cases continue to rise both locally and nationally, the need for immunization is more critical than ever.