Measles Exposure Possible At Philly International Airport: Officials
PHILADELPHIA — Some travelers at the Philadelphia International Airport may have been exposed to measles Friday, local health officials said.The Philadelphia Department of Public Health said people in the Federal Inspection Area at the Philadelphia International Airport Terminal A West on Friday may have been exposed to measles. According to officials, the exposure window was between 2:50 p.m. and 6 p.m. Friday in that specific area of the airport.The person with measles was traveling through the airport and is unrelated to the recent measles case from Philadelphia.Measles is a highly contagious virus.People who have measles can spread the virus to others who are not protected against the virus through direct contact with respiratory droplets, or through droplets in the air from coughing and sneezing.Early symptoms of measles are fever, runny nose, cough, and red, puffy eyes, followed by rash. In some people, it can be a very serious infection that leads to pneumonia, brain infection and death."We believe there is no threat to the general public associated with this case of measles, Dr. Landrus Burress, Director of the Division of Disease Control, said. "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. We strongly encourage parents to follow the CDC’s immunization schedule and get their children fully vaccinated as soon as they are able. People planning to travel outside the United States should speak with their doctor about their travel plans and vaccinations needed."The MMR vaccine is safe and highly effective and is the best way to avoid serious complications of a vaccine-preventable disease. It is vaccine is routinely recommended for patients 12 to 15 months, with a second dose given at between 4 and 6 years old.Infants under a year are not routinely eligible for vaccine and are not protected. However, infants 6 to 11 months old should receive a dose of MMR vaccine to protect them before traveling internationally.Families who are traveling outside the United States should speak to their infant’s doctor at least two weeks before departing for their trip.Anyone possibly exposed to the measles case at the airport should follow the steps below to determine if you are protected from measles, and symptoms to look out for if you are not protected.Generally, people are considered protected from or immune to measles if they were born before 1957, have already had measles, or have received two doses of measles-containing vaccine.Health officials said to look at vaccination records or ask healthcare providers to see if you have already had two doses of this vaccine.Those who are not protected from measles should receive a dose of MMR vaccine, officials said.Anyone under a year old, pregnant and not immune, or who have a weakened immune system should consult with their healthcare provider as soon as possible. Management of exposure to measles may be different with these conditions.Measles is contagious for four days before to four days after the rash starts. Those who are not immune and may have been exposed could give measles to someone at high risk before developing rash.Officials said wearing a mask in indoor public spaces and around anyone who is unvaccinated until three weeks after the exposure can prevent measles' spread.If you are not immune and may have been exposed, and you develop any symptoms through June 21 that appear like measles, contact a healthcare provider immediately, officials said.The early symptoms of measles are fever, runny nose, cough, and puffy, red eyes, followed by rash. Tell your doctor that you may have been exposed to measles. You should also notify your local health department — Philadelphia at 215-685-6740 — or the state health department at 877-724-3258 for residents of other counties in Pennsylvania if you develop measles symptoms.The article Measles Exposure Possible At Philly International Airport: Officials appeared first on Philadelphia, PA Patch.
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