Measles Cases Linked to Disneyland Rise to 78

At least 78 cases of measles have now been reported in an outbreak traced to Disneyland, public health officials say. The outbreak began in the third week of December. New cases directly linked to the park are no longer being reported. But other cases have occurred in people who were infected by those exposed at the park. Orange County, where the park is, and San Diego County were the hardest hit, California health officials said. In all, 68 cases have been reported in California. The cases include 5 park employees who play costumed characters, Disney confirmed. An expert interviewed by HealthDay News said the outbreak has occurred because of an increase in the number of parents who refuse to get some or all vaccinations for their children. Some states allow these refusals on personal or religious grounds. California has some of the highest rates of refusal in the country.