Measles at Disneyland (combined threads)

[mummabear]

Personally I think it is an over reaction.
You can catch many viruses/diseases anywhere-the bus, the supermarket, work, school etc.
However I will concede that a place like Disneyland may be more likely to have visitors from other places(parts of the country or world) who may carry things you would not otherwise come in contact with.
I also think that it is the sort of place where people have spent a lot of money to get to and have really exciting plans for and as such people are more likely to visit even when they are sick if they can still physically manage it.
As with preventing anything-wash your hands regularly and try not to touch your face or touch anything like rails unnecessarily.

 

[Mouser172]

First off, even though you're all vaccinated, vaccinations are not 100% effective. Secondly, you could possibly run into someone who has the measles, or mumps, or chicken pox at the airport, hotel or parks. Do you really want to take that chance? There are a lot of people at airports and hotels, therefore a lot of chances to get sick.

 

[WTFetus]

First off, even though you're all vaccinated, vaccinations are not 100% effective. Secondly, you could possibly run into someone who has the measles, or mumps, or chicken pox at the airport, hotel or parks. Do you really want to take that chance? There are a lot of people at airports and hotels, therefore a lot of chances to get sick.

With that logic, people should never leave their house.

Honestly, I'm in the overreaction crew. The outbreak was over a month ago, and if you are all vaccinated, you should be fine. Vaccinations aren't 100%, nothing is, but they are extremely effective. So far there is 1 reported person who was vaccinated that got the measles. 1 out of the hundreds of thousands vaccinated that have been in the park since the outbreak.

 

[bakerudall]

And because so, so, so many people were there creating the possibility of a large spread. There's nothing wrong with making Disneyland a focal point of the story. Bad things can and do happen at Disneyland even though the Coolade drinkers would have us think the opposite. The various stories could do better at pointing out the full facts of how it could spread...

The "Coolade drinkers" are making valid arguments using math, science, and logic. What flavor of Kool-Aid is that?

 

[JandD75]

If you're all vaccinated you should be fine. Last year when there was a measles outbreak in Southern California I went and had blood work to make sure I had immunities still. Turns out I didn't and I got a booster. If you're super concerned just call your dr.

I agree with the above--check with your doctor. And you may be able to take the vaccine again, just to be doubly sure. I took the vaccine after having had the measles, because, like another person who posted, I couldn't prove I'd had measles, since my doctor had passed away and his records couldn't be found.

 

[TheLanes]

The "Coolade drinkers" are making valid arguments using math, science, and logic. What flavor of Kool-Aid is that?

I'm just saying don't get mad that Disneyland was tied to something negative. With that many people in one place, the chances of a large spread of Measles is higher than if they only visited a few small places. And, with more and more people not getting immunized, the spread possibility is higher.

Then there are the facts the media downplayed: a super high percentage of those immunized can't get it, and if the affected have been gone for more than a few hours, the chance for further contamination is gone.

 

[ecatzippy]

If you are fully vaccinated you should be safe from the measles. If you are at all questioning your vaccination status there is an easy and quick titer test that you can get from your doctor. I did that recently to confirm what I was protected against. There is a very small subset of the population that have disorders such as Primary Immunodeficiency Disease who do not create appropriate antibodies from the vaccines to protect against infection but it is very rare and there are usually a great many complications that go with it. As the parent of a child with this disorder it does make me nervous that we were at Disneyland the week before this incident but it can happen anywhere people choose not to vaccinate their families. Except in the most rare of cases if your vaccinations are current, they work. I would go and have a fabulous time.

 

[ecatzippy]

Also, I have noted that some people on here have had measles more than once. That is a prime reason to be screened for Primary Immunodeficiency Disease because your body may not be remembering past illnesses and retaining immunity. There is supportive care that can prevent further infections.

 

[2tinkerbell]

I can somewhat understand the fear. When it was first reported about the 2 individuals in UT with measles, it was like they were listing every place (Walmart, Macey's, etc.) the 2 individuals had been and basically stated that everyone who was at those stores would get measles. It seemed over the top a bit. Yes, there are still new cases popping up that are tied to the Dec 15-20 exposure at Disneyland, but, they are secondary exposures. They have been exposed to measles by someone who was exposed. Hope that makes sense.

I would think that you are fine. If all your immunizations are up to date. I know that I had to have a booster, even though I had the measles pre immunization. My titer level was lower. Most Ob-Gyn offices check this titer level as part of your regular visit (especially before you are pregnant). Since they found that most who had the vax during a particular time frame didn't have the immunity, the CDC changed the recommendations. Most likely the adults were given a vax to update at the time of your regular doctor visits.

I would check with your physician's office and make sure that all are okay. Then I would make my decision based upon that and not on the fear of others. Information is power.

 

[Kristina4109]

Definitely check with your doctor. This sort of thing can and will happen anyplace there is a large concentration of people. There are people who choose not to vaccinate their children and this can cause problems. Personally, I would not have any problem walking into Disneyland right now. But only your doctor can tell you what is safe to do for YOU.

 

[AngiTN]

First off, even though you're all vaccinated, vaccinations are not 100% effective. Secondly, you could possibly run into someone who has the measles, or mumps, or chicken pox at the airport, hotel or parks. Do you really want to take that chance? There are a lot of people at airports and hotels, therefore a lot of chances to get sick.

Is this a serious post or do you have a trip planned and are trying to get fewer people in the parks during your visit? I find it hard to think you are serious because if you are, how can you ever leave your house? Couldn't you run in to someone with measles, mumps or chicken pox just going to the grocery store?

 

[Mouser172]

Nahhh I was just foolin'. Well played, picking up on my sarcasm.

 

[ClosetDisneyJunkie]

I'm going to be there on the 25th. I will literally rub my face on every surface I can find in Disneyland. Like a cat. That's how unworried I am by measles at Disneyland at this point.

Can someone come bail me out of jail in Anaheim the night of the 25th btw?

But seriously folks, everyone should make their own decisions about their health, etc. I'm vaccinated, and my decision is that I'm not giving it a second thought.

 

[TheLanes]

I'm going to be there on the 25th. I will literally rub my face on every surface I can find in Disneyland. Like a cat. That's how unworried I am by measles at Disneyland at this point. Can someone come bail me out of jail in Anaheim the night of the 25th btw? But seriously folks, everyone should make their own decisions about their health, etc. I'm vaccinated, and my decision is that I'm not giving it a second thought.

Lol!

I'll give the family of four with red eyes and sneezing a second thought. No need to be clueless...

 

[TheDoleWhipper]

Since you are all vaccinated, you should be safe. If it was really that dangerous, I am sure that disney would have closed the parks and dealt with it. There are still thousands of people wandering into the parks each day, and none of them are getting infected anymore. I mean, it is your personal choice, but if I were you, I would roll along without and go anyways. I think that that the "others" are just paranoid about it. I trust that you will be fine.

 

[Gisele]

Since you are all vaccinated, you should be safe. If it was really that dangerous, I am sure that disney would have closed the parks and dealt with it. There are still thousands of people wandering into the parks each day, and none of them are getting infected anymore. I mean, it is your personal choice, but if I were you, I would roll along without and go anyways. I think that that the "others" are just paranoid about it. I trust that you will be fine.

Yeah! If Disney thought there was a real problem they would put a tarp over the entire park, and fumigate the heck out of the whole place. Why those germs wouldn't know what hit them! No way out for them that's for certain! Show them those stinking germs and viruses! Take that! And that! Hey, you, yeah over there you stinking a little germ you, am talking to you, you hear me! No churro for you man. Get over here!
Then, after the fumigator whisper is finished, he proclaims this place is clean! Then he exits like the wind. So fast matter of fact that it gives whip lash to some people, while many a small child will gasp in astonishment while asking, who was that unmasked man? Which then the germ whisper shouts, look in your pocket, you'll find my business card........

 

[Gisele]

Interesting update:

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-measles-disneyland-spread-alarms-20150117-story.html

 

[thatgrljme]

When I went in 2014 there were 49 confirmed cases, though none at Disneyland it was still in Southern California.

I said this earlier: if you had been vaccinated in the past and are concerned about this go get a blood test to see if you still have immunities. If you don't, get a booster shot.

I realize that kids under 1 yr of age cannot be vaccinated against this but I personally don't think children that young belong in a theme park anyway. I also realize that is not realistic for most families to leave a baby at home and vacation with the rest of the family. Take precautions where you can. Make sure all vaccinations are up to date on everyone that can receive them and make sure hands are being washed after touching surfaces in public places.

This isn't a Disneyland problem, this is a problem with people not vaccinating. It just so happened to take place at Disneyland this time.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

Disney is not the cause of the measles outbreak. If your family is vaccinated, you'll probably be fine. There's less than 2% chance of getting it with full immunizations, and less than 5% after the first vaccine at 1 year of age.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Disney is not the cause of the measles outbreak. If your family is vaccinated, you'll probably be fine. There's less than 2% chance of getting it with full immunizations, and less than 5% after the first vaccine at 1 year of age.

Just looked it up. Yep! I remember my 2nd dose about 24 or so years ago. Had to go to the health department in a pinch because at the 11th hour I found out I had to have the certificate to enter college. I wasn't happy. I also remember my boys had to redose both MMR & TDap in middle school (2008). I **will** be taking all shot records to our new doctors in the next month for a review with their immunization team to make sure we're all current where we should be and good to go for the Panama Canal cruise this May. Everyone should stay on their immunizations just as part of your annual maintenance.