Measles exposure confirmed at Denver, Los Angeles airports, health officials say

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

With holiday travel in full swing, add measles exposure to the list of obstacles some airline passengers have already encountered.

Health officials confirmed Wednesday that three children, hospitalized recently in Colorado with measles, traveled from New Zealand to Los Angeles International Airport on Dec. 11, before catching the final leg of their flight to Denver International Airport, The Associated Press reported.

According to The Denver Post, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has already issued warnings at both U.S. airports connected to the ill children.

The AP confirmed none of the three children were vaccinated against measles, mumps or rubella, and the trio is being treated at Children's Hospital of Colorado. Anyone present at the medical facility between 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 might also have been exposed.

USA Today confirmed the Denver airport's Concourse A, train to baggage claim, west baggage claim and west level 4 passenger pick-up areas were compromised between 1:15 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. Dec. 11.

While LAX officials contend there is no current risk of contracting the highly contagious disease at the facility, anyone who spent time in terminals 4 and 5 between 6:50 a.m. and noon on Dec. 11 should check their immunization status and monitor themselves for symptoms for a full 21 days, the Los Angeles Times reported.

"For those who are not protected, measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that initially causes fever, cough, red, watery eyes, and, finally, a rash," said L.A. County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis in a statement.

To date, the airborne virus has sickened 1,276 nationwide, compared with only 375 cases reported in 2018, the Times reported.

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