A traveler contaminated with measles flew from London to Los Angeles Worldwide Airport earlier than touring to Orange County this month, doubtlessly exposing the general public to the extremely infectious illness, well being officers mentioned Wednesday.
The particular person arrived on the Tom Bradley Worldwide Terminal B, Gate 202, on Norse Atlantic Airways flight Z0711 at 2:18 p.m. Friday, in accordance with the Los Angeles County Division of Public Well being.
Officers warning that people who had been contained in the LAX terminal from about 2:30 to 4 p.m. Friday could also be vulnerable to creating measles. It’s not clear how many individuals had been doubtlessly uncovered.
Measles signs embrace a fever greater than 101 levels, cough, runny nostril, purple and watery eyes, white spots which will seem contained in the mouth two or three days after signs start and a rash that seems three to 5 days after different indicators of sickness. A measles rash sometimes begins on the face and spreads down the physique, in accordance with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
The sick traveler additionally visited a number of areas in Orange County:
Friday, July 26:
- Denny’s restaurant, 1168 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim (7-9 p.m.)
Saturday, July 27:
- CVS Pharmacy, 1803 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim (12:45-2 p.m.)
- Walmart, 1120 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim (1-3:30 p.m.)
Sunday, July 28:
- Anaheim International Medical Heart Emergency Division, 1025 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim (2-5 p.m.)
- CVS Pharmacy, 1676 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim (4-5 p.m.)
Well being officers inspired anybody who was at one of many publicity areas throughout these instances to verify they’ve been vaccinated towards measles. People who should not immunized and haven’t had measles are vulnerable to creating signs one to 3 weeks after they had been uncovered. If an individual does start experiencing signs, well being officers advise staying dwelling and calling a healthcare supplier for steerage.
“Measles is very contagious and may result in extreme illness in some people,” Orange County Well being Officer Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong mentioned in a ready assertion. “It spreads very simply by air and by direct contact with an contaminated particular person. Persons are contagious from roughly 4 days earlier than the rash seems by way of 4 days after the rash seems.”
Younger kids, pregnant girls and immunocompromised people are at larger threat of problems from measles, in accordance with the CDC.
Most Individuals are vaccinated towards measles in early childhood, although the speed amongst California kids has declined in recent times, prompting issues that the virus might flow into extra broadly. Measles instances are on the rise throughout the nation.
To this point, the CDC has recorded 188 measles instances within the U.S. — greater than double the variety of instances reported final 12 months. There have been 12 instances in California as of this month.
Of the instances this 12 months, 85% of these contaminated had been unvaccinated or their vaccine standing was unknown. Almost half of the reported instances required hospitalization, in accordance with the CDC.
“One of the simplest ways to guard your self and your loved ones from an infection is with the extremely efficient measle vaccine,” Los Angeles County Well being Officer Dr. Muntu Davis mentioned in an announcement.
