Health officials are alerting the public about a possible measles exposure at Philadelphia International Airport. The exposure occurred between 2:50 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday, May 31 at the Federal Inspection Area of Terminal A West. The individual with measles was a traveler passing through the airport and is not connected to a previous case reported on May 20, according to the Philadelphia Health Department.
The department reassured the general public that there is no risk to vaccinated individuals, as they are protected against measles and do not need to take any further action. Those who are not vaccinated should be on the lookout for symptoms such as fever, runny nose, cough, puffy red eyes, and rash. In severe cases, measles can lead to organ inflammation, brain infection, or death.
Measles is highly contagious, and individuals who have not been vaccinated should get vaccinated as soon as possible. Dr. Landrus Burress, Director of the Division of Disease Control, emphasized that many countries, including popular travel destinations, are currently experiencing measles outbreaks, increasing the risk of travel-related cases and outbreaks in the United States.
For more information about measles, visit the CDC.gov website. Stay informed about measles symptoms, vaccines, and treatment to protect yourself and others. Copyright © 2024 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.