With measles cases surging globally, health officials tell us what LA County is doing right – including the importance of vaccine [Video]

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The last time Southern California experienced a huge measles scare was an outbreak that started at Disneyland in December 2014. It spread to seven states, Mexico and Canada.

Now international health experts are concerned about an international surge.

Last year, there were 10.3 million cases of measles globally — an increase of 20% from the previous year, according to a newly released report from the World Health Organization.

Nearly 107,500 people died from measles worldwide in 2023 and children under the age of 5 were hit the hardest, the report found.

When it comes to the threat here at home, Los Angeles County health officials are watching the skies. LAX is a hub for international travel and a potential threat for measles.

“Many individuals who were infected with measles traveled through Los Angeles County,” said Nava Yeganeh, M.D., MPH, Medical Director of Vaccine Preventable Disease for the L.A. County Department of Public Health.

This translates into a lot …