Health officials in Southern California have issued public alerts after an international traveler with measles passed through Los Angeles International Airport and spent hours at the Disneyland Resort while infectious. According to a news release by the County of Los Angeles, the traveler arrived at the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport on Viva Aerobus Flight 518 at gate 201A on the night of January 26. Officials said people who were in Terminal B from late evening on January 26 into the early hours of January 27 may have been exposed and should monitor for symptoms through mid-February.
The traveler visited Goofy’s Kitchen, Disneyland Park, and Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, as well as a Dunkin’ Donuts location at 22020 Ventura Blvd. in Woodland Hills, per official statements reported by USA Today.
Health departments in Los Angeles and Orange counties are now tracing contacts and notifying potentially exposed individuals. Officials also urge residents and travelers to review their measles vaccination status as national case numbers climb to the highest January total since the United States declared measles elimination in 2000.
Travel-Linked Cases Under Investigation In Southern California
Beyond the traveler associated with LAX and Disneyland, Los Angeles County has confirmed additional measles cases tied to international travel. Officials previously confirmed the first measles case of 2026 in a county resident who had recently traveled internationally, with no identified public exposure locations outside health care settings. NBC Los Angeles noted that in that case, affected health care facilities are directly notifying patients and staff who may have been exposed.
In a separate statement, county officials said a third case involved a resident who had recently traveled abroad and visited a restaurant in Sherman Oaks while infectious. The department stated that the three measles cases reported in the county over the past weeks are unrelated, and all involve people who traveled internationally. County health staff are working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to notify passengers who sat near the infected travelers, in accordance with standard procedures for communicable disease investigations on aircraft.
Rising Measles Cases Put Focus On Vaccination And Travel Health
The Southern California alerts come amid a broader increase in measles activity across the state and country. The Los Angeles County’s latest update highlights that the CDC reported 588 measles cases nationwide as of January 30. Most recent U.S. cases are linked to ongoing outbreaks in South Carolina and in a multi-state cluster involving Arizona and Utah, and the majority of people infected are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status.
The California Department of Public Health has also warned clinicians about an increase in measles cases in recent weeks and urged them to consider the diagnosis in patients with compatible symptoms, especially those who have traveled internationally or visited areas with known outbreaks.
“Measles is extremely contagious and can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death,” stated Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer. “With cases rising, it is critical that everyone ensures they are protected. The MMR vaccine remains the strongest and most effective way to protect yourself, your family, and your community. Before traveling, confirm your immunity and get the MMR vaccine if needed. It’s a simple step that makes a meaningful difference for your health and the health of those around you.”
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