United States: Los Angeles County has entered to the list of measles-infected states of the United States. Recently, the local health department reported a case of measles and warned the public of potential exposure.
While addressing the concern, the Health Department shared a news release in which it noted that an anonymous person caught an infection at the Tom Bradley International Airport Terminal at LAX.
The authority outlined that the suspected time of the exposure could be around 5 pm on January 25, 2024. The Department of Public Health also mentioned that the patient was a passenger on a Turkish Airlines flight, which raised concerns about fellow passengers getting exposed.
The local health department will contact all the possible passengers on the flight during the suspected time.
Along with this, potential exposure could be seen among the “Individuals who were at Terminal B from 5 pm to 9 pm,” officials said, and they “may be at risk of developing measles due to exposure to this traveler,” according to ktla.com.
Several reports mentioned that the infected person also visited Chick-Fil-A at 18521 Devonshire St. in Northridge on January 25. “Individuals who were at this restaurant between 8 pm to 10:30 pm may be at risk of developing measles due to exposure to this person,” the release highlighted.
Besides this, the Public Health Department has also urged the public to get vaccinated if they have not received the latest dose.
“If they have not had measles in the past and have not yet obtained the vaccine, they are at risk of contracting measles if they have been exposed,” the release explained, adding, “Unimmunized persons or those with unknown immunization status who were at these sites during the date and times listed above are at risk of developing measles from seven to 21 days after being exposed. Individuals who have been free of symptoms for more than 21 days are no longer at risk,” as per ktla.com.
Further, the Department suggested staying indoors if contracted with the disease. The possible symptoms listed were rash, runny nose, red and watery eyes, fever, white spots inside the mouth, and cough.
The release, as per ktla.com, emphasized, “Do not enter a health care facility before calling them and making them aware of your measles exposure and symptoms. Public Health can assist health care providers in appropriately diagnosing and managing your care.”