Reports of persons with measles infections have emerged from five US city airports. This statement from Dr. Mark Escott, medical director for Austin Public Health, alerts to the critical level of this situation. “Measles is an acute, highly contagious viral disease. A small number of cases are capable of quickly producing epidemics.”
Below is a list of where measles exposure in airports and nearby locations have occurred and what you should know:
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
On December 17, between 4:30 pm and 8 pm, an individual with a measles infection passed through Terminal 3. On December 12, the same person passed through Terminal 1 between 3:30 and 7 pm. Other places travelers may have been exposed that day include:
- Mr. Greek Gyros, 234 S. Halsted Street between 12:30 pm and 4 pm
- Starbucks on 515 N. State Street between 1:30 pm and 5 pm
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) reported the incidences. A link below can be used to follow updates.
Richmond International Airport (RIC)
The Virginia Department of Health reports an individual with a measles infection was in the airport, but not the baggage area, on December 17 between 9 pm and 11:45 pm. Then on December 19 between 12:30 pm and 5:30 pm, the same individual is reported as having visited Health Visions MD at 1230 Alverser Drive, Suite 100 in the town of Midlothian. A link below can be used to follow updates.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA)
On December 17, between noon and 4 pm, an individual infected with measles was at Gate 29 and flew on United flight 790. Other locations within Austin where people may have been exposed include:
- December 14, Chipotle Mexican Grill, 6301 W Parmer Lane
- December 14-16 HEB, 6001 W Parmer Lane
- December 15, Saam Thai, 6301 W Parmer Lane
- December 15-16, Mandola’s Italian, 4700 W Guadalupe Street
- December 16, from 2 pm to 4 pm, the Target on 10107 Research Boulevard and Marco’s Pizza on 11011 Research Boulevard.
For updates, visit the link for Austin Public Health below.
Denver International Airport (DEN)
On December 11, between 1:15 pm and 5:45 pm, three unvaccinated children returning from a visit to a country with a measles outbreak traveled through:
- Concourse A
- The train to baggage claim
- West baggage claim
- West level 4 passenger pick up areas
On December 12 between 1 pm and 7:30 pm, the children were also at Children’s Hospital Colorado in the Anschutz Campus Emergency Department on 13123 E 16th Avenue in Aurora. For updates, please visit the link below for Colorado’s Tri-County Health Department link below.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
On December 11, between 6:50 am and 12:00 pm, the same three children mentioned above from the Denver area were traveling through Los Angeles International airport’s terminals 4 and 5. More information can be found below at the link for the County of Los Angeles Public Health.
There were 1,276 cases of measles reported in 31 US states in 2019 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than in the prior four years combined. Here’s a video from the CDC with information about measles.
Per the CDC, “Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus and typically include high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. Measles rash appears 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms.” More detailed signs and symptoms can be found at the link below. Additionally, the CDC has information regarding the top four things parents should know about measles (separate link below).
Measles Outbreak Airports: Sources
Chicago Department of Public Health
Virginia Department of Health
Austin Public Health
Colorado’s Tri-County Health Department
County of Los Angeles Public Health
ABC News
CDC Measles Stats
CDC Measles Signs and Symptoms
CDC Top 4 Things Parents Should Know About Measles