California health officials confirmed on Wednesday that all nine cases of the measles are in people who visited Disneyland or its adjacent California Adventure park between Dec. 15 and 20.
Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health, recommends that people who were in those two amusement parks on the said dates should be checked by a doctor. The state officials are currently investigating three more cases, all from California. Seven of the confirmed cases were residents of California, while two were from Utah, according to Reuters.
"Based on information from current cases, it is likely that a person infectious with measles was at one of the theme parks on these dates," Chapman said in a statement.
"If you have symptoms, and believe you may have been exposed, please contact your health care provider. The best way to prevent measles and its spread is to get vaccinated."
The United States is experiencing a surge in measles cases, according to the CDC. From January 1 to November 29, 2014, there have been 610 confirmed cases, the highest number since 2000. The majority of the victims were unvaccinated just like the confirmed cases linked to Disneyland.
State officials believe that a traveler brought the measles into Disneyland, CNN reported. Measles is more common in other countries such as Europe, Asia, the Pacific and Africa.
"Travelers to areas where measles is endemic can bring measles back to the U.S., resulting in limited domestic transmission of measles," said the California Department of Public Health. "Disney and other theme parks in California are international attractions and visitors come from many parts of the world, including those where measles is endemic."
Disneyland promised to collaborate with the state officials for the investigation.
"We are working with the health department to provide any information and assistance we can," Dr. Pamela Hymel, chief medical officer for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said in a news briefing.
