Los Angeles County health officials have confirmed the seventh case of measles this year in an individual who arrived at the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in early July.
The traveler arrived on British Airways flight 281 on July 3, potentially exposing other individuals at Gate 155 between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Additionally, passengers on the Hertz Car Rental Shuttle at LAX between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on the same day may have also been exposed. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is actively contacting passengers on the flight who sat in proximity to the infected individual.
The county's Department of Public Health has also identified and notified other locations the traveler may have visited, including a healthcare facility. Individuals who were present at these locations during the specified times are advised to monitor for measles symptoms until July 24. Measles symptoms typically manifest seven to 21 days after exposure.
Common symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a characteristic rash that usually appears three to five days after initial illness, starting on the face and spreading downwards. As of the latest reports, California has recorded a total of 51 confirmed measles cases.
“As measles cases increase, it is important that residents take steps to make sure they are fully protected. The MMR vaccine is the safest and most reliable way to prevent measles and protect yourself, your family, and your community,” stated Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County's Health Officer. “Measles spreads easily and can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death. With summer travel underway, the risk of exposure to infectious diseases may increase.”
