Measles Outbreak Spreads to 7 States, Health Officials Warn of More Cases

The measles outbreak that started over the holiday season at Disneyland in Southern California has now spread to seven states, as well as Mexico, according to the California Department of Public Health.

The outbreak began during the crowded tourist time at Disneyland and California Adventure Theme Parks over the holiday break in December, when children from various countries were exposed to contagious conditions inside the park.

The California Department of Public Health tells the Los Angeles Times that the disease has been confirmed in Arizona with five cases, totaling the number of those infected at 87. Utah, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Nebraska, and Mexico have also had cases of the disease.

The viral infection has now spread beyond those who visited Disneyland to other victims who became infected in public places like the mall or grocery stores.

Health officials have stressed that the issue with the spread of the infection is the fact that some children who visited Disneyland have not been vaccinated for measles or other highly contagious infections due to personal beliefs.

One school in Huntington Beach, California began barring students who had not been vaccinated for the infection from attending school after one infected student began spreading the measles to others in class.

Will Humble, the director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, recently told USA Today that he believes the measles outbreak in his state is at a "critical" point, adding that he thinks the number of cases will "absolutely" continue to grow.

"I am certain we will have more just based on the sheer number of people exposed this time," Humble said.