Health officials are warning travelers of a possible measles exposure at the Boise Airport.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare said in a news release Thursday that a person with the highly contagious virus traveled through the airport early in the morning on Sunday, March 29, before 7:40.
Idahoans who shared flights with the person are being notified, the release said.
Measles is a virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. Those who aren’t vaccinated can become infected up to two hours after a person with the virus leaves the same room or area, health officials said.
People who may have been exposed should watch for symptoms such as fever, runny nose, cough and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash. In some cases, measles can lead to pneumonia, brain infection and death.
The warning comes as many countries, including popular tourist destinations and parts of the U.S., are experiencing measles outbreaks, the release said.
Health and Welfare encouraged those planning to travel, especially by air, to talk with a doctor or other health care provider beforehand about vaccinations.
The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is highly effective at preventing measles and is recommended for children 12 to 15 months old, with a second dose at 4 to 6 years old, the release said.
Infants younger than 12 months old are generally not recommended to get the vaccine, though infants 6 to 11 months old are recommended to get a dose before traveling internationally.
Idaho has one of the worst measles vaccination rates in the U.S.
Idaho Statesman
Angela Palermo covers business and public health for the Idaho Statesman. She grew up in Hagerman and graduated from the University of Idaho, where she studied journalism and business. Angela previously covered education for the Lewiston Tribune and Moscow-Pullman Daily News.Â
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