Measles Identified In LAX Traveler, Health Officials Warn

LOS ANGELES, CA — A passenger infected with the highly contagious measles passed through Los Angeles International Airport last week, county health officials warned.

The person who traveled to Los Angeles International Airport was infectious at the time, according to public health officials. The traveler arrived on Lufthansa Flight LH 452 at the Tom Bradley International Terminal B, Gate 156 at 3:04 p.m. Sunday. From there, they connected to Flight LH 7852 at Terminal 7, Gate 82 at 8 p.m.

The person did not leave the airport, according to health officials.

Individuals who were at LAX TBIT and Terminal 7 from approximately 3:04 p.m. to 9 p.m. may be at risk of developing measles due to exposure to this traveler.

People who think they may have been exposed to the infected traveler should confirm whether they have been vaccinated against measles. If they have not had measles in the past and have not yet obtained the measles vaccine, they are at risk of contracting the disease if they were exposed. Non-immunized people or those with unknown immunization status who were at this location during the date and times listed above are at risk of developing measles from seven to 21 days after being exposed.

As of last week, nationwide a total of 142 measles cases have been reported this year — more than double the number of cases reported in all of 2023. Of those infected, 55 percent of these cases required hospitalization.

In February, Los Angeles County confirmed its first case this year in a resident who traveled through Los Angeles International Airport while infectious and visited a fast food restaurant in Northridge. Then in April, an infected person traveled in Los Angeles County to Universal Studios and various tourist locations from March 30 to April 1.

"Measles is spread by air and by direct contact even before you know you have it and can lead to severe disease," said Los Angeles County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis. "Measles is highly contagious for those who are not immune to it. Initially causing fever, cough, red, watery eyes and followed by a rash, it can result in serious complications for young children and vulnerable adults."

• Common symptoms include:
• High fever (higher than 101 degrees)
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red and watery eyes
• Tiny white spots that may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin.
• Rash three to five days after other signs of illness. The measles rash typically starts at the face and spreads down to the rest of the body. Measles spreads easily through air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes. The virus can stay in the air and on surfaces for many hours, even after the infected person has left. The infected person can spread the disease up to four days before a measles rash appears and up to four days after the rash appears.

The MMR vaccine protects against three diseases: measles, mumps and rubella. The MMRV vaccine also protects against chickenpox.

The vaccines are administered in two doses and are highly effective: two doses are 97% effective against measles and one dose is 93% effective. The spread of measles can be prevented if two-dose coverage of vaccine remains at 95% or above in the community. For more information on measles, go to ph.lacounty.gov/measles.

City News Service contributed to this report.