California health investigators looking for clues as to the source of the Disneyland measles outbreak have found links of the disease to 15 countries and sic U.S. states.

Clinical tests of the measles virus show it shares the same genetic makeup as the kind common in the Philippines. But officials did say the outbreak could have come from a visitor from several other countries since Disneyland attracts tourists worldwide.

Like Us on Facebook

Health authorities said the measles type in the Philippines -- known as B3 -- can also be found in 14 other countries, including Germany, Britain and Brazil and six other U.S. states.

California's Department of Public Health submitted its findings to federal agencies based on genetic examination of the measles virus in 30 patients in California.

Scientists claim the virus likely originated in the Philippines but they have yet to determine how exactly it got into the U.S. and then to Disneyland. Authorities pointed out a Philippines link to two other outbreaks of measles last year.

An Amish aid worker from the Philippines coming bask to the U.S. set off an outbreak in Ohio that affected more than 380 patients. On the sunny state, officials linked measles cases early last year to un-immunized travelers coming home from the Philippines.

The clinical results also show how a lone traveler that contracted measles from any country can trigger a spread of the disease, especially with reduced vaccination levels in the US.

The epidemiology director for Orange County, Dr. Matt Zahn, said the lab findings showed the number of cases in California is all likely connected to an individual that started at Disneyland. Officials have yet to identify the initial person or family that carried the measles virus into Disneyland.

Zahn said the initial person or family that had measles visited the theme park between December 17 and 20 and was linked to at least 39 infected people.