US Measles Outbreak: Quarantines at two universities in Los Angeles

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02:07

A quarantine order is in effect at two major universities in Los Angeles over a measles outbreak. The students and staff affected must provide proof of immunization or stay isolated. The move comes as the number of cases grows across the United States. CGTN's Jim Spellman reports.

In the U.S. State of California, nearly 300 students, staff and faculty are under quarantine at two universities after possibly being exposed to measles on campus.

DR. MUNTU DAVIS PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER, LOS ANGELES COUNTY "If you were in this area, you would need to be quarantined. Notify the health center, verify your immune status, or you'll be quarantined."

Those who can't prove they have been inoculated against measles will be held in isolation for up to a week, as public health officials scramble to stop a wave of outbreaks across the U.S.

"It's worrying to know that it's going on in the same place that I spend so much time."

Measles is highly contagious - causing fever and rash and can lead to brain damage or even death.

Before a vaccine was developed in the 1960s, 3 to 4 million people in the U.S. contracted measles each year. The disease was declared eradicated in the U.S. in 2000. But recently outbreaks have spiked as some parents have been reluctant to vaccinate children over unfounded fears the inoculations may be harmful and cause autism.

DR. ROBERT REDFIELD DIRECTOR, US CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION "It's really important to be very definitive that vaccines do not cause autism. Vaccines are safe."

So far this year more than 600 cases have been recorded in the U.S.-many centered in insular communities including ultra-Orthodox Jewish Enclaves.

DR. ANTHONY FAUCI NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH "We need the religious leaders, we need the community leaders, to convince those people that they need it to protect not only their own children, but they have a responsibility to the community and to society."

JIM SPELLMAN WASHINGTON DC "The U.S. outbreaks are part of a larger global trend. UNICEF says more than 170 million children have missed measles vaccinations between 2010 and 2017. Setting the stage for more outbreaks if vaccinations aren't increased. JIM SPELLMAN, CGTN, WASHINGTON."