FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Health officials are monitoring a group of about 140 farmworkers who traveled from Arizona to the Central Valley after being exposed to measles during an ongoing outbreak in that state.<\/p>\n
The workers are believed to have relocated to Fresno, Madera and Merced counties, according to health officials. Authorities say the workers were exposed to the disease in Arizona and are now being monitored for possible symptoms.<\/p>\n
“At this time, we haven’t had any measles cases here in California and these exposed individuals, but we are monitoring for that, checking for symptoms,” said Dr. Trinidad Solis of the Fresno Health Department.<\/p>\n
Health officials say measles cases have reached a 35-year high nationwide, which doctors attribute to lagging vaccination rates. However, Solis said the local risk remains low at this time.<\/p>\n
“With measles, and with other diseases, it can cross borders. It can cross states, counties. For us, the biggest key takeaway is prevention. We want to prevent further cases,” Solis said.<\/p>\n
The workers have been instructed to quarantine, and experts say they will be monitored for potential symptoms over the next 21 days.<\/p>\n
Gabriel Valladolid, a farm worker in Fresno County, said the current harvest season brings significant movement among agricultural workers as they travel for seasonal jobs.<\/p>\n
“Right now, it’s the lettuce, garlic, tomato, and peach. There are various harvests right now. There’s a lot of movement right now,” Valladolid said.<\/p>\n
Valladolid said travel is often necessary for agricultural workers seeking employment opportunities.<\/p>\n
“We are necessary, and that necessity prompts us to travel to other states. It’s very dangerous what’s happening, but we should handle it quickly,” he said.<\/p>\n
Valladolid also said farmworkers often do not receive enough information about illnesses, particularly in different languages and dialects.<\/p>\n
“When it comes to illnesses, or pathogens, really they don’t give us much information. They should give more information to us agricultural workers,” Valladolid said.<\/p>\n
Health officials say they will continue monitoring the exposed workers during the quarantine period and watching for any signs of illness.<\/p>\n
Each county is coordinating to share information with these groups and is even offering vaccines.<\/p>\n
According to the California Department of Public Health, more exposed workers from Arizona could arrive in the state in the coming days.<\/p>\n
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