A newly arrived traveler at Los Angeles International Airport is the source of the first measles case in Los Angeles County since 2020.
Measles is a highly infectious disease and health experts say the best way to evade infection is immunization.
The Los Angeles resident was a passenger on a Turkish Airlines flight that arrived at 5 p.m. on Jan. 25 at the Tom Bradley International Terminal, Gate 157. Anyone who was in Terminal B from 5 to 9 p.m. may have been exposed. and could be at risk. of developing measles.
Los Angeles public health officials are notifying Turkish Airlines passengers who sat near this flyer about possible exposure to measles.
The measles virus can live in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which works with the Los Angeles Department of Public Health. Angeles to investigate exposure to communicable diseases on international flights. To the US
After the flight, the infected person made a stop at Northridge Chick-fil-A.
Customers who were at the restaurant at 18521 Devonshire St. between 8 and 10:30 p.m. may be at risk of developing measles, county health officials said.
The health department is investigating additional locations where possible exposures may have occurred.
“Measles is spread through the air and by direct contact,” Los Angeles County Health Officer Muntu Davis said in a news release. “Before you even know it, you have it and it can lead to serious illness.”
Those who have not been vaccinated against measles, or are unsure if they have received the vaccine, and were at these sites during the date and times mentioned above are at risk of developing measles. Symptoms appear between seven and 21 days after exposure to the virus. Those who have been symptom-free for more than 21 days are no longer at risk.
The CDC reported a recent increase in measles cases in the country. Between December 1 and January 23, the agency was notified of 23 confirmed cases of measles in the United States, including seven direct importations of measles by international travelers and two outbreaks with more than five cases each.
If you think you were exposed
Public health officials recommend:
- Review your medical and immunization records to determine if you are protected against measles. People who have not had measles infection or received the measles vaccine before may not be protected against the virus and should talk to a health care provider about receiving the measles, mumps, and measles vaccine. rubella.
- Contact and notify your healthcare provider as soon as possible about possible exposure if you are pregnant, have an unvaccinated baby who may have been exposed, or have a weakened immune system.
- Monitor yourself for illness: fever and/or unexplained rash seven to 21 days after exposure.
- If symptoms develop, stay home and avoid school, work, and any large gatherings. Call a healthcare provider right away. Do not enter a health care facility before calling and telling the provider about your measles exposure and symptoms.
Last month, the CDC issued an alert to healthcare providers about measles cases after there were 23 confirmed cases across the United States.
The best way to prevent measles infection is to get vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella. Children need two doses of vaccine, one when they are between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old. Adolescents and adults who have not yet been immunized need one dose.
How measles can spread
The virus is highly contagious and lives in the mucus of the nose and throat of an infected person, according to the CDC. It can be transmitted by coughing and sneezing.
The CDC says the virus is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of people who are not immune and are in close proximity to that person will also become infected.
Measles can also spread when other people breathe contaminated air or touch an infected surface and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth.
The infection can be transmitted four days before symptoms begin or four days after signs of the virus.
Measles symptoms
The first symptoms of measles infection will appear seven to 14 days after becoming infected.
We know measles as a skin rash, but it can be dangerous especially for babies and young children. Measles usually begins with a high fever (which can reach over 104 degrees), cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes.
Two or three days after symptoms begin, small white spots may appear inside the mouth.
Three to five days after having symptoms of measles infection, a rash appears. It usually starts as flat, red spots that appear on the face and hairline, and then spreads to the back, trunk, arms, legs, and feet.