Disneyland measles outbreak 2026

TL;DR:

• An infectious traveler visited Disneyland on Jan 28, 2026.
• Officials traced multiple California cases to that date and locations.
• If you were there, check MMR status and watch for symptoms for 21 days.
• Two MMR doses give about 97% protection, per CDC.
• Expect more exposure notices as contact tracing continues.

Health officials in Orange County, California confirmed that an international traveler with measles visited Disneyland Resort on 28 January 2026. The person entered the United States through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) the same day, then spent hours at both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. The visitor also dined at Goofy’s Kitchen in the Disneyland Hotel during the late morning and early afternoon.

The Orange County Health Care Agency published exposure windows for those sites. After that notice, additional counties reported cases with links to Disneyland and the January 28 timeframe, and state media reported a growing cluster tied to the park. Coverage from the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, and People confirmed both the dates and locations and noted the risk to thousands of guests who may have shared the same spaces.

Where exposures occurred

Based on county notices, potential exposure sites and times on 28 January 2026 include:

• Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel, roughly 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, from early afternoon to closing.
• LAX arrival areas linked to the traveler’s entry earlier that day.

If you were in those places during those times, you could have been exposed. Measles can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infectious person leaves a room.

How officials are responding

Disneyland says it is working with county and state health teams and following all guidance to protect guests and staff. Local health departments are tracing contacts, checking immunization records, and issuing exposure alerts to other counties when needed. Media outlets report additional cases that involve people who visited the parks around that date, suggesting a widening circle of investigation.

At the national level, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has tracked a rise in measles activity since 2025. As of late January and early February 2026, reports describe hundreds of cases nationwide, many linked to travel and to pockets of low vaccination.

What to do if you were there

Step 1: Check your MMR status

• Two documented MMR doses mean you are very likely protected.
• One dose offers good protection, but a second dose is advised if you are eligible.
• No record or unsure, get vaccinated now unless a clinician says you should not.

Step 2: Watch for symptoms for 21 days after exposure

Measles symptoms can appear 7 to 21 days after exposure. Mark your calendar from 28 January 2026 if you were at the listed sites. Watch for:

• Fever, often high.
• Cough, runny nose, red eyes.
• A red, blotchy rash that starts at the hairline and moves down.

If symptoms start, call your clinic before you go. Wear a mask if you must enter a facility. This helps protect infants, pregnant people, and those with weak immune systems.

Step 3: Seek timely care

• Within 72 hours of exposure, the MMR vaccine can help prevent disease for those not fully immunized.
• Within 6 days of exposure, immune globulin may be advised for high-risk people such as infants under 12 months, pregnant people without immunity, and the severely immunocompromised. Ask your clinician.

Step 4: Isolate if you are sick

Stay home and away from school, work, parks, and public transit until cleared by a clinician or public health. Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known.

How contagious is measles and who is at risk

Measles spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes. The basic reproduction number is high, which is why one case can seed many. People are infectious from four days before rash to four days after.

Those at the highest risk of severe outcomes include infants, pregnant people, and anyone with weak immune function. Complications can include ear infections, pneumonia, and encephalitis. Even healthy teens and adults can get very sick if not immune.

How well the vaccine works

Two doses of MMR provide about 97 percent protection. One dose provides about 93 percent. People born before widespread vaccination, or who had confirmed measles in childhood, are usually immune, but many countries still advise at least one documented MMR dose for adults without proof of immunity. Travelers should review records before international trips.

Why Disneyland again

The last time Disneyland figured into measles headlines was the 2014–2015 outbreak that began in December 2014 and was declared over in April 2015. That event led to policy changes in California and a renewed focus on vaccination. Today’s situation differs in scale, but the setting shows how a single infectious traveler can create a large exposure at a crowded destination that draws global visitors.

What happens next

Expect more exposure notices from counties as contact tracing continues. You may see updates tied to airports, hotels, and restaurants near the parks. Reported case counts can rise for several weeks because of the 7–21 day incubation window.

Park operations can continue during investigations, as long as public health guidance is followed. If you plan a visit soon, confirm your MMR status before you go. Bring records for children, and talk with your clinician if your child is too young for the first dose.

Quick decision guide

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting for a rash before you call your doctor. Fever and cough may come first.
• Visiting urgent care without calling ahead. You could expose others in the lobby.
• Assuming prior COVID measures cover measles. Cloth masks and spacing help, but vaccination is the key.
• Thinking you are safe because you were outdoors. Lines, indoor rides, and dining areas increase risk.

Background context

Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, which means there was no ongoing transmission. Elimination does not mean zero cases. Importations still occur, often from regions with outbreaks or low coverage. When vaccination rates dip, one imported case can spread fast, especially in crowded settings.

Why it matters

A Disneyland exposure is a stress test for public health. The parks draw local families and international visitors. A single missed vaccine can translate into missed work, school disruptions, and preventable hospital stays. Checking your records, and acting fast if you were there on 28 January 2026, protects you and the people around you.

Sources:

• Orange County Health Care Agency, “Infectious Measles Case Visits Orange County,” https://www.ochealthinfo.com/press/infectious-measles-case-visits-orange-county, published 2026-01-31, accessed 2026-02-05.
• Los Angeles Times, “Measles cases grow in SoCal; one infected person flew into LAX, spent hours at Disney park,” https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-02-02/second-orange-county-measles-case-confirmed-at-disney-california-adventure-park, published 2026-02-02, accessed 2026-02-05.
• San Francisco Chronicle, “Cluster of California measles cases tied to Disneyland exposure,” https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/california-measles-cases-disneyland-21334230.php, published 2026-02-05, accessed 2026-02-05.
• People, “Measles Case Confirmed in Recent Disneyland Visitor,” https://people.com/measles-case-confirmed-in-recent-disneyland-visitor-11898438, published 2026-02-04, accessed 2026-02-05.

CDC background on measles and MMR effectiveness, https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/index.html, accessed 2026-02-05.