PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Officials are issuing a warning to travelers after a possible measles exposure was reported at Philadelphia International Airport.
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is notifying travelers and others who were at Terminals A and B on Sunday, November 9, between 8:50 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. of a possible measles exposure.
The individual with measles was traveling through the airport and health officials are encouraging people who may have been exposed to check their vaccination status and watch for symptoms.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when infected people cough, sneeze, or talk. Experts say people who aren’t protected against measles can get the virus up to two hours after someone with measles leaves the same room or airspace.
Early symptoms of measles are fever, runny nose, cough, and red, puffy eyes, followed by rash. In some people, it can cause a very serious infection that leads to pneumonia, brain infection, and death.
Generally, you are considered protected (immune) if you were:
Born before 1957, or
Have already had measles, or
Have received two doses of measles-containing vaccine (usually given as measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine.)
For more information, visit the CDC’s webpage on measles.
The Philadelphia Health Department will post any updates on exposures as needed.