As the specter of measles returns, San Diego County health officials are ringing the alarm bells. Although there have been no reported cases in the county so far this year, nearby Los Angeles and Orange counties have already seen outbreaks leading to multiple exposures. You heard that right—Disneyland is on the list of places where people could have been exposed to the highly contagious virus.

Measles is notably one of the most contagious diseases, with a staggering 95% chance of infection if you're unvaccinated and exposed. Dr. Sayone Thihalolipavan, the county public health officer, encourages anyone who's traveled to an outbreak area and is experiencing symptoms, like fever and rash, to contact their healthcare provider immediately. This is not just a bad cold; measles can be extremely dangerous, especially for babies and young children.

As the data shows, the virus had been eliminated in the U.S. as of 2000 due to successful vaccination efforts, but a recent rise brought the highest number of cases in 26 years last January. Infants are particularly vulnerable, as they haven’t yet had the chance to get the vaccine. So, the takeaway here? Rolling up your sleeve for the measles vaccination is crucial. Just think: it's much safer than risking a trip back to the days of "maybe it's just a rash."