The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed a local outbreak of measles among five people. This outbreak includes four county residents who were exposed to an unimmunized, international visitor who was infectious with measles while in Los Angeles County.

The infectious person visited sites in Los Angeles, Inglewood, Norwalk, Torrance and Santa Monica between Jan. 26 and Feb. 1, and many of the locations were on San Vicente Boulevard, Wilshire Boulevard, Montana Avenue and Westwood Boulevard, among others. Potential exposure sites also included Nordstrom and Gelson’s at the Westfield Century City Mall.

For a full list of potential exposure sites, visit bit.ly/31JyjRB.

Unimmunized persons or those with unknown immunization status who were at the sites during the potential exposure windows are at risk of developing measles from seven to 21 days after being exposed.

Individuals who have been free of symptoms for more than 21 days are no longer at risk.

If people were potentially exposed, they should review their immunization and medical records to determine if they are protected against measles and, if not, talk with a health care provider about receiving the measles, mumps and rubella immunization. Patients should contact their health care provider as soon as possible about a potential exposure if they are pregnant, an infant, have a weakened immune system and/or are unimmunized regardless of vaccination history. They should monitor for illness with fever and/or an unexplained rash from seven to 21 days after their exposure (the time period when symptoms may develop). If symptoms develop, they should stay at home and call a health care provider immediately.

In 2019, there were 20 measles cases among Los Angeles County residents, in addition to 14 non-resident measles cases that traveled through Los Angeles County (excluding Long Beach and Pasadena, as cases identified in those cities are reported by their local health departments). Most of these cases were not immunized or did not know whether they had ever been immunized or previously infected with the measles virus.

Measles immunizations are available at health care providers, local pharmacies or clinics. Public Health clinics offer no or low-cost immunizations for individuals who are uninsured or underinsured. To find a nearby Public Health clinic, call 211 or visit publichealth.la­county.gov/chs/phcenters.htm.

For information, visit public­health.lacounty.gov/media/measles.