A traveler who passed through Los Angeles International Airport a week ago was infected with measles and may have exposed others, according to county health officials. The individual arrived on Qatar Airways flight QR 0739 at 1:53 p.m. on May 9 at the Tom Bradley International Terminal.
The county Department of Public Health has advised that individuals who were at Terminal B between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on that day may be at risk of developing measles due to exposure to the infected traveler. Local health departments will be contacting passengers who were seated in specific seats on the flight that may have been exposed to the virus.
Those who were potentially exposed are encouraged to confirm their vaccination status for measles. Unvaccinated individuals who have not been previously infected are at risk of contracting the disease and may start to exhibit symptoms within 7 to 21 days of exposure.
Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County health officer, emphasized that measles is highly contagious and can be spread through the air and by direct contact even before symptoms appear. He noted that the disease can lead to severe complications, especially in young children and vulnerable adults, so it is essential for those who may have been exposed to take necessary precautions.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is urging people who may have been exposed to the infected traveler to monitor their symptoms closely and seek medical attention if they develop any signs or symptoms of measles.
Measles is a highly infectious disease caused by the measles virus, which can spread easily from person to person through respiratory droplets or direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids.
Symptoms typically appear 10-12 days after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, sore throat, small white spots that may develop inside the mouth (known as Koplik’s spots), followed by a skin rash made up of large flat blotches that often flows together.
While most people recover from measles without any complications, it can cause severe complications in some cases, such as pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and deafness.
Vaccination is the best way to prevent measles infection and reduce its spread within communities.
Dr. Davis urged everyone who has been potentially exposed to take steps to protect themselves and those around them by getting vaccinated against measles if they are not already immunized.
“It’s important for everyone to do their part in preventing the spread of this highly contagious disease,” said Dr. Davis.