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The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has confirmed a case of measles involving a person who traveled to Los Angeles International Airport while contagious the day before Thanksgiving.
The non-resident traveler arrived at Terminal B on Qatar Airways flight QR0739 on November 27 and was at the airport from 12:30pm to 6pm.
The revelation occurred at one of the world’s busiest airports and during what is considered one of the nation’s busiest travel weeks.
Public Health is warning travelers who were in Terminal B or sitting on the flight at that time that they are at risk of developing measles. Local health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are working to notify potentially infected passengers.
“Measles spreads easily through the air and the ground, and it spreads easily among people who are not already protected from measles,” said Los Angeles County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis. “The best way to protect yourself and your family from infection is to get the highly effective measles vaccine.”
This handout from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the skin of a patient seen in a New York hospital in 1958 three days after contracting measles. (Credit: CDC via Getty Images)
According to the Department of Public Health, unimmunized people exposed to measles may develop symptoms including high fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and rash 7 to 21 days after exposure.
People at risk for this infection are encouraged to check their vaccination records and contact their health care provider if they are immunocompromised, pregnant, or have infants.
The measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine is 97% effective after two doses, and free or low-cost vaccines are available to uninsured and underinsured people through local clinics .
In the United States, the number of measles cases has more than doubled this year, with 280 reported as of the end of November. Authorities are calling for timely vaccination to prevent further outbreaks.
To learn more about measles, click here.
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