The Cal State University, Los Angeles Student Union building is seen in Los Angeles Thursday, April 25, 2019. Hundreds of students and staff at two Los Angeles universities, including Cal State University, have been placed under quarantine because they may have been exposed to measles and either have not been vaccinated or cannot verify that they are immune, officials said Thursday. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Hundreds of students and staff at two Los Angeles universities have been placed under quarantine because they may have been exposed to measles and either have not been vaccinated or cannot verify that they are immune, officials said Thursday.
The order issued late Wednesday in connection with the University of California, Los Angeles, and California State University, Los Angeles, requires that affected people stay home, avoid contact with others and notify authorities if they develop measles symptoms. Los Angeles County public health officials issued quarantines of 24 to 48 hours until proof of immunity is established, according to a statement from UCLA. Some people may need to be quarantined for up to a week.
"Please be assured that we have the resources we need for prevention and treatment, and that we are working very closely with local public health officials on the matter," UCLA Chancellor Gene Block in the statement.
Measles in the United States has climbed to its highest level in 25 years, closing in on 700 cases this year in a resurgence largely attributed to misinformation that is turning parents against vaccines. Roughly three-quarters of this year's illnesses have been in New York state.
A UCLA student who was diagnosed with measles possibly exposed 500 people on campus to measles in early April, according to a statement from the school.
Of those people, 119 students and eight faculty members had not provided medical records by Wednesday showing that they were immune. By Thursday afternoon, 43 of them had been released after proving they had been vaccinated.
Meanwhile at Cal State, a person infected with measles visited a library and possibly encountered hundreds of employees, some of whom were students. One hundred ninety-eight of them could not provide their immunization records, according to a statement from the Cal State.
Health officials determined that there is "no known current risk related to measles at the library at this time," Cal State said in its statement.
The orders come as a small outbreak of measles occurs in Los Angeles County involving five confirmed cases linked to overseas travel. The state recorded 38 measles cases as of Thursday; there were 11 around the same time last year, said Dr. Karen Smith, director of the California Department of Public Health.
The state typically sees fewer than two dozen cases a year, she said.
This year, California's cases stretch across 11 counties and affect patients from 5 months old to 55.
More than 76% of patients were not vaccinated or did not receive the recommended two doses of vaccine, Smith said. Fourteen of those infected had traveled overseas to countries including Philippines, Thailand, India and Ukraine.
Measles in most people causes fever, runny nose, cough and a rash all over the body. However, a small fraction of those infected can suffer complications such as pneumonia and a dangerous swelling of the brain.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the vaccine for everyone over a year old, except for people who had the disease as children. Those who have had measles are immune.
The vaccine, which became available in the 1960s, is considered safe and effective, and because of it, measles was declared all but eliminated in the U.S. in 2000.
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Associated Press Writer John Antczak contributed to this report.
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Students walk past the Harriet and Charles Luckman Fine Arts Complex at the The Cal State University, Los Angeles campus Thursday, April 25, 2019. Hundreds of students and staff at two Los Angeles universities, including Cal State University, have been placed under quarantine because they may have been exposed to measles and either have not been vaccinated or cannot verify that they are immune, officials said Thursday. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
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Students walk past Royce Hall at the University of California, Los Angeles Thursday, April 25, 2019, in the Westwood section of Los Angeles. Hundreds of students and staff at two Los Angeles universities, including UCLA, have been placed under quarantine because they may have been exposed to measles. Officials say the people affected by the order either have not been vaccinated or cannot verify that they are immune. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Associated Press
Students sit on the lawn near Royce Hall at UCLA Thursday, April 25, 2019, in the Westwood section of Los Angeles. Hundreds of students and staff at two Los Angeles universities, including UCLA, have been placed under quarantine because they may have been exposed to measles. Officials say the people affected by the order either have not been vaccinated or cannot verify that they are immune. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Associated Press
CORRECTS TO ORDER ISSUED LATE WEDNESDAY Students practice track at the Cal State University, Los Angeles campus Thursday, April 25, 2019. A quarantine order was issued late Wednesday for hundreds of students and staff at two Los Angeles universities, including Cal State University, who may have been exposed to measles and either have not been vaccinated or can't verify that they have immunity. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
The Associated Press
Students drive to Cal State University, Los Angeles campus Thursday, April 25, 2019. Hundreds of students and staff at two Los Angeles universities, including Cal State University, have been placed under quarantine because they may have been exposed to measles. Officials say the people affected by the order either have not been vaccinated or cannot verify that they are immune. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
The Associated Press
FILE - This Feb. 26, 2015 file photo shows students on the University of California, Los Angeles campus. A quarantine order was issued Thursday, April 25, 2019, for hundreds of students and staff at two Los Angeles universities who may have been exposed to measles and either have not been vaccinated or can't verify that they have immunity. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this June 30, 2015, file photo, Jennifer Wonnacott holds her son, Gavin, as he points to a sign showing supporters of a measure requiring nearly all California school children to be vaccinated, at a news conference after the State Bill 277 was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in Sacramento, Calif. State health officials say the number of measles cases in 2019 is up in California with cases stretching across 11 counties and affecting patients from 5 months to 55 years of age. Dr. Karen Smith, director of the California Department of Public Health, says more than 76% of patients were not vaccinated or didn't receive the recommended two doses of vaccine. Fourteen of those infected had traveled overseas to countries including Philippines, Thailand, India and Ukraine. Measles symptoms include high fever, a cough and a rash. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Jan. 29, 2015, file photo, pediatrician Charles Goodman vaccinates 1-year-old Cameron Fierro with the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, or MMR vaccine, at his practice in Northridge, Calif. A new study published in the journal Science suggests the measles vaccine not only prevents measles, but may also help the body ward off other infections. State health officials say the number of measles cases is up in California this year and much of the increase is linked to overseas travel. Dr. Karen Smith, director of the California Department of Public Health, says the state recorded 38 measles cases as of Thursday, April 25, 2019, versus 11 around the same time last year. She says the state typically sees fewer than two dozen cases a year. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes,File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Feb. 6, 2015, file photo, a flyer educating parents about measles is displayed on a bulletin board at a pediatrics clinic in Greenbrae, Calif. State health officials say the number of measles cases is up in California in 2019 and much of the increase is linked to overseas travel. Dr. Karen Smith, director of the California Department of Public Health, says the state recorded 38 measles cases as of Thursday, April 25, 2019, versus 11 around the same time last year. She says the state typically sees fewer than two dozen cases a year. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)
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