Health officials in Arizona, Illinois and California are alerting travelers after people infectious with measles passed through major airports on June 17 and June 18.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Health officials in three states have issued measles exposure warnings after infectious travelers passed through airports in Arizona, Illinois and California last week, prompting public health investigations and contact tracing.
The advisories involve Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Hollywood Burbank Airport. Officials did not say whether the cases were connected.
In Arizona, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health said a person infectious with measles traveled through Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on June 17. The traveler was in Terminal 4 between 6 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., according to the agency.
County officials urged anyone who may have been exposed to monitor for symptoms and review guidance on the county’s measles webpage.
In Illinois, the Chicago Department of Public Health said it is investigating a confirmed measles case involving an international traveler who arrived at O’Hare International Airport on June 17 after being exposed outside the United States.
The traveler was in O’Hare’s Terminal 5 between 5:50 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. while infectious, officials said.
The Chicago health department said it is working with the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and healthcare providers to identify and notify people who may have been exposed.
In California, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said it is investigating a confirmed measles case involving a traveler who was infectious while passing through Hollywood Burbank Airport and other sites.
Officials said people may have been exposed at Gate A4 from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. June 17 after the traveler arrived on Southwest Airlines Flight 4245. A second possible exposure occurred at Gate A6 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. June 18 before the traveler departed on Southwest Flight 816.
Los Angeles County officials also identified Thrifty Rental Car Service at 2627 N. Hollywood Way in Burbank as a possible exposure location. The traveler was there from 9:20 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. June 17 and again from 10:25 a.m. to 11:25 a.m. June 18.
Officials said the CDC is working with state and local health departments to notify passengers who were seated near the infected traveler on affected flights.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. Symptoms usually include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash that typically appears several days after fever begins. People can spread the virus before the rash develops.
Health officials advised anyone who was at the listed locations during the identified times and is not immune through vaccination or prior infection to watch for symptoms. Anyone who develops symptoms should contact a healthcare provider and call ahead before seeking care to reduce the risk of exposing others.
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