Health officials have issued a warning about a potential measles outbreak at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) after an infant tested positive for the disease. The young child arrived on Korean Air flight KAL11/KE11 from Seoul on February 19 and was in Terminal B between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. that day. Passengers who were in the terminal during this time are advised to check their vaccination status as they may be at risk of contracting the highly contagious disease.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to notify passengers who might have been exposed. Individuals who were potentially exposed should monitor for symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, and a rash, which can appear seven to 21 days after exposure. Those who remain symptom-free beyond March 11 are no longer considered at risk.
“Measles is a serious respiratory disease that spreads easily through the air and on surfaces, particularly among people who are not already protected from it,” said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer. “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 exposure. 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.”
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