Students quarantined at UCLA, Cal State LA until they prove they've had measles vaccination

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11) - Officials with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced Thursday that they were working with officials at UCLA and Cal State Los Angeles to issue quarantine orders for students who are unable to provide medical records proving they have had measles immunizations.

According to UCLA health officials, as many as 119 students and eight faculty members have been quarantined while the school works to determine whether they are immune to the measles. According to the school, more than 500 students, faculty and staff were notified that a student on campus contracted the illness and that they may have come into contact with that student. The student who contracted measles attended classes at Franz Hall and Boelter Hall on April 2, 4 and 9 while contagious, according to UCLA.

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"We expect that those notified will be quarantined for approximately 24-48 hours until their proof of immunity is established. A few may need to remain in quarantine for up to seven days. We have arranged for those who live on campus to be cared for at UCLA while they are quarantined," UCLA said in a statement.

Cal State LA said about 200 workers at a campus library -- which include some students -- have been sent home "under quarantine orders and told to stay home and avoid contact with others as much as possible.''

Officials at Cal State LA said that a measles exposure may have occurred in Library North on April 11, 2019, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

"To prevent the spread of this highly contagious virus, the Department of Public Health has asked Cal State LA employees who were potentially exposed through their presence in Library North on the specified date and times to provide immunization records or be checked for immunity at the Student Health Center and not to return to work until they receive clearance from Department of Public Health officials. These employees, including student workers, have been sent home under quarantine orders and told to stay home and avoid contact with others as much as possible," Cal State LA officials said in a statement.

According to Public Health, at five residents in Los Angeles County with confirmed cases of measles:

Additionally, five out-of-state travelers who traveled through LAX were confirmed to have measles during the time they traveled through the county.

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection spreads from person-to-person, according to Public Health. A person with measles can spread the disease to others even before they have any symptoms. Most people who have not been immunized against measles will get it if they have contact with the virus.

If you think that you or someone in your family has measles or has been exposed to measles, contact your doctor's office by phone right away. Tell them that you might have measles before you go in, so they can take steps to prevent other patients and staff from being exposed.