Measles Case Confirmed In Los Angeles County

LOS ANGELES, CA — Health officials are warning travelers of a potential measles exposure this month at at Los Angeles International Airport, where an infant infected with measles passed through after returning from a trip abroad

According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the patient passed through LAX's Tom Bradley International Terminal on Feb. 19 after arriving aboard Korean Air flight KAL11/KE11. It was only later confirmed that the baby had measles. Anyone who was at Terminal B between 1 and 4 p.m. on Feb. 19 could potentially develop measles.

Measles is highly contagious, and there have been three outbreaks nationwide so far this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of Thursday, there have been 93 cases across the United states - mostly linked to the three outbreaks. The number is expected to rise in connection with current outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico.

According to the county health department, individuals who were at Terminal B on February 19th from approximately 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. may be at risk of developing measles due to exposure to this traveler. Passengers assigned to specific seats that may have been exposed on the flight will be notified.

“Measles is a serious respiratory disease that spreads easily through the air and on surfaces, particularly among people who are not already protected from it,” said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer. “A person can spread the illness to others before they have symptoms, and it can take seven to twenty-one days for symptoms to show up after exposure. Measles can lead to severe disease in young children and vulnerable adults. The best way to protect yourself and your family from infection is with the highly effective measle vaccine.”

Anyone exposed to measles should confirm if they have been vaccinated as they are at risk of contracting measles if they have been exposed. Unimmunized persons exposed to measles are at risk of developing measles from 7 to 21 days after being exposed and should monitor for symptoms. Exposed individuals who have been free of symptoms for more than 21 days — March 11 in this case — are no longer at risk.

According to the health department, common symptoms include:

• High fever (higher than 101° F)
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red and watery eyes
• Rash 3-5 days after other signs of illness. The “measles rash” typically starts at the face and then spreads down to the rest of the body.