The US seems to be gradually getting in the clutch of measles as California has reported seven confirmed cases of the airborne illness, while Utah has confirmed two.

According to the health officials of both the states, the patients have likely contracted measles during their trips to Disney theme parks in California in December.

Three more people in California are suspected of infected with the contagious disease.

The California’s Department of Public Health confirmed that all the confirmed or suspected patients had visited Disneyland or Disney California Adventure during their trip between December 15 and December 20.

The health officials believe all the victims of measles have contracted the airborne illness at one of the parks in the Disneyland.

Meanwhile, the health experts said that the detected patients can remain infectious for nine days. Hence, preventive measures need to taken to check its spread.

The seven people with confirmed cases in California belong to five different areas of the state and belong to the age group 8 months to 21-year-old. The officials also said that out of the seven patients, six were not vaccinated against the disease.

Dr. Ron Chapman, director of California Department of Public Health, strictly recommended the residents to get themselves vaccinated against measles and also urged them to visit their doctor in case any symptoms appear.

“The best way to prevent measles and its spread is to get vaccinated,” Chapman said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Disney officials declined to have received any reports of their staff contracting measles. Park officials also said that they are working with the health department in order to provide any necessary information and take preventive measures to check the spread.

Measles, a highly contagious virus, lives in the nose and throat mucus of the infected person. It spreads through sneezing and coughing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Some of the common symptoms include: cough, runny nose, fever and red eyes and red rashes (that generally appears on the face first and gradually spreads to the rest of the body).