Health officials are warning of possible measles exposure after a traveler infected with the virus passed through Philadelphia International Airport on Sunday.
The unidentified passenger was at the airport between 8:50 a.m. and 4 p.m., the Philadelphia Health Department said Tuesday in a news release.
While the risk for the general public is low, anyone who was in terminals A and B at that time is encouraged to check their vaccination status and watch for signs of infection.
Early symptoms may include a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that usually appears within three to five days after other symptoms begin.
“We believe there is no threat to the general public associated with this case of measles,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson. “We encourage people who were possibly exposed to take action if they are not protected against measles.”
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when infected people cough, sneeze or talk. Infections can lead to serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
The measles vaccine — given as part of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) shot — is 97% effective at preventing the disease after two doses administered at least 28 days apart.
Last month, health officials in New Jersey issued a public alert after a passenger infected with measles spent more than three hours at Newark Liberty International Airport.
As of early last week, there had been 1,681 confirmed cases reported across 42 jurisdictions in the United States so far this year, including New York City and New York State, according to the CDC. That’s the highest number of measles infections in more than 30 years, despite the virus being declared eliminated in 2000.
