The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) has issued a health alert after it was confirmed that a visitor to the Las Vegas Strip may have spread measles.
The person who tested positive for measles traveled from out of state and was present in Las Vegas from April 1 to April 6, KTNV reported.
The individual reportedly visited a number of locations along the strip, including the MGM Grand and Grand Wok Noodle Bar.
The SNHD release stated that “in addition to these known locations, the individual visited various places throughout Las Vegas and Henderson.”
Measles cases in the U.S. have surged this year, already surpassing the total for 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
As of March 21, the CDC confirmed 64 measles cases reported by 17 jurisdictions, including Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. Notably, Kentucky has reported no cases as of Tuesday morning.
In 2023, a total of 58 cases were reported nationwide. Responding to the uptick, the CDC first issued a health advisory on March 18, urging people, especially children and international travelers, to get vaccinated.
“Measles (rubeola) is highly contagious; one person infected with measles can infect 9 out of 10 unvaccinated individuals with whom they come in close contact,” the CDC’s health advisory emphasized.
