Visitor With Measles May Have Exposed Others In Bay Area: Officials

SAN JOSE, CA — Bay Area health officials are working with the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention to track potential exposures after a visitor infected with measles traveled to multiple locations in Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties last week, including the San Jose airport.

In a news release Monday, the Santa Clara County Public Health Department identified a coffee shop and taqueria the person visited before departing on a Southwest flight from the San Jose Mineta International Airport on July 2.

Health officials said the person was exposed to measles in another state and was still contagious when they visited a Los Gatos Starbucks and Santa Cruz taqueria on July 1.

Now, state, local and federal health officials are working to identify anyone who may have been exposed to measles during the trip including passengers on the Southwest flight, travelers exposed at the TSA checkpoint or in Terminal B, and those who visited the Starbucks, taqueria, or airport during the same timeframe.

"Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when someone with measles speaks, coughs or sneezes," said Dr. Monika Roy, the county's assistant health officer. "It is very easy for anyone close to the individual to become infected. Call your doctor right away if you think you may have been exposed. Quick action can prevent many more people from becoming sick with this serious disease"

Here is the timeline for potential exposures:

• Starbucks (624 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos)
  • Date: Monday, July 1, 2024
  • Time range: 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
• Taqueria Los Pericos (139 Water Street, Santa Cruz)
  • Date: Monday, July 1, 2024
  • Time range: 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
• San Jose Mineta International Airport (Terminal B & Southwest Flight WN 2804)
  • Date: Tuesday, July 2, 2024
  • Time range: 5:15 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.

Common symptoms of a measles infection can include a fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that can appear one to three weeks after exposure. Patients who develop more severe complications are encouraged to call their doctor.

County officials said anyone with a potential measles infection should call ahead before visiting a medical facility to ensure they have time to put preventative measures in place.

The health department noted that Santa Clara County has very high vaccination rates against measles, but unvaccinated children and adults, and those with weakened immune systems, can still be at risk for developing serious symptoms.

>> Learn more about measles on the public health website.