Infected LAX Passenger May Have Spread Measles On Plane, In Airport: Officials

LOS ANGELES, CA — LAX passengers were exposed to a person infected with measles last week, public health officials warned Wednesday.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said a person, who does not live in LA County, traveled to LAX while infectious on July 26.

The person arrived at 2:18 p.m. to the Tom Bradley International Terminal, Gate 202 on Norse Atlantic Airways flight Z0711. The person then traveled to Orange County, the department said.

Those who were at the international terminal and Terminal B between 2:30 and 4 p.m. may be at risk of developing measles. Additional locations were exposures occurred, including those in Orange County, are being investigated by health officials, the department said.

Passengers assigned to specific seats on the Norse Atlantic flight will be notified of their exposure by local health authorities working with the U.S. Centers Disease Control and Prevention.

Anyone exposed should confirm if they have been vaccinated against measles.

Those who were exposed and are not immunized are at risk of developing measles seven to 21 days after the exposure. Those who have been free of symptoms for more than 21 days, on August 16, are no longer at risk, DPH said.

“Measles spreads easily through the air and on surfaces and easily between people who are not already protected from it,” county Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis said. “A person can spread the illness to others before they have symptoms, and it can take seven to 21 days for symptoms to show up after being exposed. 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 measles vaccine.”

Common symptoms include a fever over 101 degrees, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, white spots inside the mouth and a rash, health officials said.

Measles spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes. It can stay in the air and on surfaces for many hours, health officials said.