LOS ANGELES, CA — Public health officials are investigating a fourth case of measles confirmed in Los Angeles County this year and warned that members of the public may have been exposed at LAX and several businesses.
The most recent patient, who was not identified, recently traveled internationally and arrived at the airport earlier this month while possibly infectious, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said Thursday.
The person arrived to the Tom Bradley International Airport Terminal on Singapore Airlines flight 0038 on Feb. 9. People who were at the terminal that day from 7:30 p.m. to 9:40 p.m. may have been exposed to the measles virus, health officials said.
Passengers seated on the plane near the infected traveler will be notified by their local health authorities.
The person also went to four LA County businesses. People who were at those businesses during specific dates and times may have been exposed, health officials said:
Burger King — 1212 W. Beverly Blvd., Montebello (5:30-7 p.m. Feb. 10)Taqueria El Atacor — 11156 1/2 Whittier Blvd., Whittier (3-5 p.m. Feb. 11)Domino’s Pizza — 803 W. Whittier Blvd., Montebello (4-5:15 p.m. Feb. 12)7-Eleven — 1106 W. Beverly Blvd., Montebello (4:30-5:45 p.m. Feb. 13)
People who were at any of those locations may be at risk of developing measles seven to 21 days after exposure, according to the health department.
This is the fourth case of measles confirmed in LA County this year.
Other cases include a person who arrived at LAX and spent time at Disneyland while infectious and another person who dined at a San Fernando Valley restaurant.
There have been 588 confirmed cases of measles in the nation as of Jan. 30, the highest number of measles cases in January since the U.S. achieved elimination status in 2000, according to the department. Most of these cases are linked to an ongoing measles outbreak in South Carolina and one outbreak each in Arizona and Utah.
Large swaths of the country are at an increased risk of contracting the highly contagious disease due to falling vaccination rates, according to a study published last month in the journal Nature Health. The measles vaccine was first used in 1963 and combined with mumps and rubella vaccines in 1971.
The researchers analyzed county-level MMR vaccination estimates to determine the level of measles risk locally. In Southern California, two counties are in the “very high risk” category.
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes, officials said. It can also spread through direct contact with infectious droplets. Symptoms typically include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a rash that begins on the face and spreads to the body.
People should check their immunity status and watch for symptoms, according to authorities, who added that those who are not immunized should talk to a health care provider, and stay home and limit interactions until 21 days after the exposure.