--- title: "Authorities Alarmed When Person With Measles Spends Entire Day Frolicking Around Universal Studios" description: "A measles-infected individual spent a whopping 11 hours at Universal Studios Hollywood last month, potentially exposing countless others." date: "2026-08-07" modified: "2026-08-07" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/health-medicine/authorities-alarmed-measles-universal-studios" categories: - "Developments" - "Health & Medicine" - "Medical" - "Pathogens" - "Viruses" --- # Authorities Alarmed When Person With Measles Spends Entire Day Frolicking Around Universal Studios ![A photo illustration of a man scratching himself at Universal Studios.]() *Shutterstock / Futurism* Even notorious anti-vaxxer and US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr had to [urge families to vaccinate their children]() against measles last week. Despite being an entirely preventable disease thanks to a highly effective vaccine that has been widely available since the 1960s, cases of measles have [skyrocketed in recent years](), facilitated by a White House that's [declared war on scientific research](), made a [mess of childhood vaccine mandates](), and [furthered dangerous misinformation](). As of last week, the US had [recorded 2,465 confirmed infections so far this year](), already more than the 2,289 total cases in 2025. The last two years saw more total infections than the rest of the 21st century combined, as [*The Guardian* reports](), with 2026's tally beating a 35-year record. Now, in the midst of all that crisis crisis, a character has stumbled into the narrative who perfectly illustrates how it's gotten so bad. As the [*LA Times* reports](), a measles-infected individual spent a whopping 11 hours at the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park last month, potentially exposing countless other visitors. The Los Angeles County Public Health Department was forced to issue a stark warning: anybody who visited the amusement park on July 26 during teh hours between 10am and 9pm may have been exposed and should monitor for symptoms including fever, cough, or rash — and stay vigilant until August 16. The virus is contagious up to four days before the characteristic rash appears on the skin, and up to four days after that. Measles can easily spread through the air through just via talking or breathing, and can persist on surfaces for hours at a time. The vaccine against it, available as part of the measles, mumps, and rubella combination (MMR) shot, is extremely worthwhile. Two doses are [97 percent effective]() in preventing a measles infection. The department also urged "everyone to confirm their immunity and get the vaccine if needed, especially before traveling and attending crowded events." California has been hit particularly hard, recording at least three localized measles outbreaks this year so far. However, [according to the state's health department](), all three outbreaks have ended. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been [38 new outbreaks in 2026]() across the country so far this year, with several thousand cases spanning 47 states. The danger to one's health is substantial — especially to the unvaccinated. According [to the CDC](), roughly one in five unvaccinated people in the US who get measles are hospitalized. One out of 20 children with measles develop pneumonia. and one to three of every 1,000 children who become infected die from respiratory and neurologic complications. **More on infectious diseases:** [*This Measles Outbreak at a Detention Center Perfectly Encapsulates America Right Now*]() ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()