Philadelphia airport passengers may have been exposed to measles, health officials warn

Passengers traveling through Philadelphia International Airport over the weekend may have been exposed to a case of the measles, city health officials warned Tuesday.

Travelers and anyone else who was at the airport’s terminals A and B between 8:50 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday may have been exposed to the highly contagious disease, according to a news release from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.

During that timeframe, a person with the measles was traveling through the airport, officials said.

Anyone who was in the impacted areas during that time is advised to “check their vaccination status and watch for symptoms,” according to health officials.

“We believe there is no threat to the general public associated with this case of measles,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson. “We encourage people who were possibly exposed to take action if they are not protected against measles. Many countries, including travel destinations, are experiencing measles outbreaks, so the potential for travel-related measles cases and subsequent outbreaks in the United States has increased.”

The health department also recommended parents to get their children fully vaccinated as soon as they are able to, following the CDC’s immunization schedule.

Measles is an airborne virus that is highly contagious, spreading when people infected with it cough, sneeze or talk. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, coughing and red, puffy eyes followed by a rash, according to the health department. In severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia, brain infection or even death, according to the health department.

The virus is contagious from 4 days before until 4 days after a rash starts.

More information about the disease can be found on the CDC’s measles webpage. The Philadelphia Health Department will post any updates on measles exposures in the city at phila.gov/measles.

What to do if you may have been exposed?

The city health department recommends the following:

• Determine if you are protected against the virus. Generally, you are if you were born before 1957, have already had the disease, or have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine.
• If you are protected from measles, you do not have to do anything.
• If you are not protected from measles, you should receive a dose of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information.
• Those who are under 12 months of age, pregnant and not immune, or are immuno-compromised should consult with their healthcare provider as soon as possible.
• If you are not protected against the measles and may have been exposed, wear a mask in public spaces indoors, and around anyone who is unvaccinated, until 3 weeks after exposure.
• If you develop any measles-like symptoms through Nov. 30,  contact your doctor immediately and notify your local health department or the state health department at 877-724-3258.

Source: Berkshire mont