Person with measles had a connecting flight at LAX, health department says

Will Conybeare
·3 min read
11

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health says a non-Los Angeles County resident with a confirmed case of measles had a connecting flight at LAX earlier this month. Now, officials are warning anyone who may have been at the airport on May 19 to check if they were exposed.

The individual in question arrived at Gate 156 at Tom Bradley International Terminal on May 19 at 3:04 p.m. aboard Lufthansa flight LH452, which according to online flight tracking service FlightAware, is the airline’s Munich, Germany to Los Angeles route.

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After a five-hour layover, the traveler connected to Lufthansa flight LH7852 out of Terminal 7, Gate 82 around 8 p.m., the health department said.

Flight LH7852 goes from LAX to Fresno; according to FlightAware, the route is operated by SkyWest Airlines as flight SKW5591.

There are no other locations where possible exposures to this traveler may have occurred, public health department officials confirmed.

“Individuals who were at LAX Tom Bradley International Terminal from approximately 3:04 p.m. to 9 p.m. may be at risk of developing measles due to exposure to this traveler,” L.A. County Public Health officials said.

Local health departments, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control, are notifying passengers assigned to specific seats that may have been exposed on LH452 on May 18-19 and LH7852 (SKW5591) on May 19.

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“Exposed individuals should confirm if they have been vaccinated against measles…if they have not had measles in the past and have not yet obtained the measles vaccine, they are at risk of contracting measles if they have been exposed,” L.A. County health officials said. “Unimmunized persons or those with unknown immunization status who were at this location during the date and time are at risk of developing measles from seven to 21 days after being exposed.”

If potentially exposed victims do not show symptoms by 21 days after exposure – which would be June 9 – they are no longer at risk, the health department added.

“Measles is spread by air and by direct contact even before you know you have it and can lead to severe disease,” Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County Health Officer, said. “Measles is highly contagious for those who are not immune to it…it can result in serious complications for young children and vulnerable adults.”

According to public health officials, common measles symptoms include:

  • High fever (higher than 101 degrees)

  • Cough

  • Runny nose

  • Red and watery eyes

  • Tiny white spots that may appear inside the mouth 2-3 days after symptoms begin

  • Rash 3-5 days after other signs of illness; typically starts at the face and then spreads to the rest of the body

Individuals who develop symptoms are urged to stay at home and avoid school, work and any large gatherings. Notify a healthcare provider immediately but do not enter any healthcare facility before calling them and making them aware of individuals’ exposure and symptoms, the health department said.

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Most health insurances cover the cost of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR); uninsured or underinsured children and adults can access free or low-cost vaccines at clinics enrolled in the Vaccines for Children and Vaccines for Adults programs. More information can be found here.

To view the L.A. County Health Department’s measles information page, click here.

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