Measles Exposure at Universal Studios Hollywood After Infected Visitor Spent 11 Hours in Park

Universal Studios Hollywood issued a public health alert after a person contagious with measles spent roughly 11 hours inside the busy park, potentially exposing other guests. County health officials say the exposure occurred on Sunday between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. and anyone who visited during that time may be at risk.

Why This Matters

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a sharp resurgence of measles in 2026: 2,371 confirmed cases as of late July, the highest annual total since 1991. Public health officials warn that crowded attractions and summer travel can increase the risk of exposure to infectious diseases.

"With summer travel underway, the risk of exposure to infectious diseases may increase," said Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County Public Health Officer. "We urge everyone to confirm their immunity and get the MMR vaccine if needed, especially before traveling and attending crowded events."

How Measles Spreads

• Measles spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes.
• The virus can linger in the air and on surfaces for hours after an infectious person has left, making both indoor and crowded outdoor spaces risky.

Symptoms, Timing and Who Should Be Concerned

Health officials say people who were at Universal Studios Hollywood during the exposure window could develop symptoms 7 to 21 days after their visit and should monitor for signs through Aug. 16. Measles patients can be contagious for up to four days before the characteristic rash appears and for four days after it begins.

• Typical symptoms: fever, cough, runny nose, red watery eyes, followed 3–5 days later by a spreading rash that usually starts on the face.
• High-risk groups: pregnant people, infants younger than 12 months, people with weakened immune systems and those who are unvaccinated should contact their healthcare provider if they were at the park during the exposure period.

What You Should Do

• Confirm your measles immunity—either past infection or receipt of the recommended MMR vaccine. If unsure, contact your healthcare provider.
• If you were at the park during the exposure window, watch for symptoms through Aug. 16. Anyone who develops symptoms should stay home and avoid school, work and public gatherings.
• If you are in a high-risk group and may have been exposed, seek medical advice promptly.

This exposure follows an earlier incident this year when an infectious international traveler visited Disneyland and Goofy's Kitchen, underscoring how quickly a highly contagious virus can spread through crowded attractions.

Sources: Los Angeles County Department of Public Health; U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; California Department of Public Health.

A computer illustration shows a measles virus particle. Getty Images/Science Photo Libra

The Universal globe is seen outside Universal Studios Hollywood. Bloomberg via Getty Images

Visitors should monitor for symptoms through Aug. 16. jany sweet – stock.adobe.com

Pregnant people, babies younger than 12 months, people with weakened immune systems and those who have not been vaccinated are urged to contact their healthcare provider if they were at the park during the exposure period. digicomphoto – stock.adobe.com

An illustration shows a measles virus particle. Measles is a highly infectious itchy rash with a fever that mainly affects children. Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF

A person's body is covered in a measles rash. ÃÂðÃâðûÃÅàÃÅðùÃËõòð – stock.adobe.com

The latest exposure comes after another measles scare at Disneyland earlier this year. TNS via Getty Images