Measles case at H.B. High is O.C.’s 10th; not tied to Disneyland outbreak

The Orange County Health Care Agency on Wednesday reported a case of measles in Huntington Beach, the 10th confirmed case in the county in recent weeks.

The patient was identified as a male student at Huntington Beach High School who was not vaccinated for measles, one of the most contagious diseases, said Health Care Agency spokeswoman Deanne Thompson.

The case is not believed to be related to those of people infected after visiting Disneyland in December, Thompson said.

Health Care Agency officials will conduct an investigation at the high school to find people who may have had contact with the student from Jan. 6 to 8, Thompson said.

Symptoms of measles include coughing, a runny nose, red eyes, high fevers and rashes.

“Because it’s cold and flu season, we need people to remember to consider measles with their cough and runny nose, especially with watery eyes and a fever,” Thompson said.

Those who believe they have been infected are asked to contact their physicians but not visit the doctor’s office.

“If the doctors don’t have an isolated room or place where they can see you safely, you could infect other people, which is the last thing we want,” Thompson said.

— Anthony Clark Carpio

Twitter: @acocarpio