[dropcap size=big]A[/dropcap] spike in measles cases in California and a cluster of cases in Los Angeles County have prompted local officials to quarantine more than 900 people this week in an effort to contain a possible outbreak of the highly infectious disease.
[Post updated 3:30 pm, Friday, April 26.]
The figure rose dramatically on Friday as authorities revealed that more people may have been in contact with someone who was diagnosed with measles, the LA Times reported.
One student at Cal State Los Angeles and one student at UCLA are reportedly among the six cases of measles identified so far in the county in 2019. Officials at both campuses identified potential exposure at on-campus libraries, and moved to seek proof of immunity or a quarantine for anyone who may have been in those areas at the same time as the infected students.
Since Monday, 127 staff and 71 students were quarantined — asked to stay home, for the most part — at Cal State L.A., and 119 people were quarantined at UCLA, for an initial total of 317, officials at both campuses said in statements. Later that number rose, That number has fallen day to day as people in the groups show proof of immunity, meaning a history of vaccination. More than 500 people overall at UCLA were contacted about potential exposure.