Los Angeles County health officials issued an exposure warning Saturday after a traveler with measles visited Universal Studios and several other locations in the county between March 30 and April 1.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said in a news release that it received notification from the California Department of Public Health about a nonresident traveler who had visited nearly a dozen locations these three days, mainly at Universal City and the Sheraton Hotel. West Century Boulevard, near Los Angeles International Airport.
The individual traveled to the following locations, according to health officials:
Saturday March 30:
- Sheraton Gateway Hotel Gym — 6101 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles 90045 (5:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.)
- Denny’s – 5535 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles 90045 (time not yet determined)
- Universal Studios – 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City 91608
- Buca di Beppo – 1000 Universal Studios Blvd., Universal City 91608 (approximately 12:00 p.m.)
- Cletus’ Chicken Shack at Universal Studios – 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City 91608 (approximately 4:00 p.m.)
- Lard Lad Donuts and EC food truck at Universal Studios — 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City 91608 (time not yet determined)
- Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams — 445 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills 90210 (time not yet determined)
- Sheraton Gateway Hotel — 6101 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles 90045
Sunday March 31:
- Sheraton Gateway Hotel Gym — 6101 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles 90045 (5:30 a.m. to 8 a.m.)
- Jack in the Box – 1127 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood 90301 (approximately 11:00 a.m.)
- Santa Monica Pier — Santa Monica 90401
- Pier Gear — 380 Santa Monica Pier #1, Santa Monica 90401 (time not yet determined)
- El Torito Mexican Restaurant — 13715 Fiji Way, Marina Del Rey 90292 (6 p.m. – 8 p.m.)
- Sheraton Gateway Hotel — 6101 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles 90045
Monday April 1:
- Sheraton Gateway Hotel — 6101 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles 90045
- Denny’s – 5535 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles 90045 (time not yet determined)
Possible additional exhibition locations are still under study.
Health officials encouraged anyone who was at any of the exposure locations on those days to confirm that they have been vaccinated against measles, a highly contagious disease that causes a rash and other symptoms serious which could endanger the lives of certain people. Those who are not vaccinated and have never had measles before are likely to develop symptoms between one and three weeks after exposure.
“Measles spreads through the air and direct contact before you even know you have it and can lead to serious illness,” Los Angeles County Health Officer Muntu Davis said in a news release. , adding that the disease “is very contagious for those who are infected.” not safe.
Young children, pregnant women and people who are immunocompromised are at greater risk of complications from measles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Exposed people should contact their health care provider, and anyone developing symptoms should “stay home and avoid school, work and any large gatherings,” Los Angeles health officials said.
The CDC has recorded 121 cases of measles so far this year, a sharp increase over 2023 numbers that has concerned public health experts. Eighty-two percent of cases in 2024 involve people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown, and 56% of cases resulted in hospitalization.
California, which has some of the strictest school vaccine laws in the country, has recorded six cases in 2024. Up to 300 people were exposed at UC Davis Medical Center this month after a child carrying the virus was seen at the Sacramento hospital.
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