Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials are investigating nine confirmed cases of the measles.
Measles can be easily spread to those without immunity. Common indicators of infection include fever, runny nose, cough and a rash that spreads all over the body. Measles can sometimes cause serious illness such as pneumonia or encephalitis. The condition can be fatal.
"Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads from person to person through coughing or sneezing," said Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, MD, interim health officer for Los Angeles County. "To protect individual health and to prevent the spread of measles to others, we urge residents who are not immunized to get the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine as soon as possible. Two doses of MMR vaccine is highly effective in preventing measles and is the best way to protect against disease."
To learn more about the measles, click here.
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