A foreign traveler who had been staying at a local hotel through Los Angeles International Airport this month has been confirmed to have suffered measles, health officials said Thursday.
According to a news release, the LA County Public Health Department is investigating two Los Angeles sites visited during its infectiousness. A public space where others may be exposed to infection is Hilton Los Angeles Airport, at 5711 W. Century Blvd.
The person landed at LAX on July 5th. According to the department, accurate times and flight information were still under investigation. The infected individual was at Hilton from 7:30pm on July 5th until checking out at 1pm on July 7th.
Individuals who were in these locations will be urged by the department to monitor potential symptoms for at least three weeks. Symptoms include high fever, cough, or red, watery eyes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They are also urged to check the status of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination. Those who are not vaccinated are at a higher risk of infection.
As the Times reported last month, the US is in the middle of the biggest outbreak of measles in decades, with California already reporting more cases of the disease than last year.
As outbreaks rise in the US and internationally, this release says summer travel can increase exposure and communication levels.
“Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can easily spread because it can remain in the air and on the surface, especially among people who are not yet protected.” “People can spread the disease to others before they have symptoms, and it can take between 7-21 days for symptoms to appear after exposure.”
The department encouraged all residents to check their vaccination records, contact their healthcare providers about potential exposures, especially if they are pregnant or have a weak immune system, and avoid large gatherings if symptoms develop.
But Davis said vaccinations are the most effective precautions against measles. “The best way to protect yourself and your family from infection is to use a highly effective measles vaccine,” he said.
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