Health officials in the capital warned of possible measles exposure on Tuesday after a person with a “confirmed case” passed through two of the region’s busiest airports while returning from an international trip.
DC Health said the potential exposure occurred in the international arrivals area of the main terminal at Dulles International Airport between 4 and 8 p.m. on January 3, then in terminal A at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport the following day from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m.
“DC Health has been notified of a confirmed case of measles in a person who passed through a DC-area airport upon returning from international travel,” the agency said in a statement. “While the threat of transmission is low, DC Health is notifying District residents in these locations of their potential exposure.”
The Virginia Department of Health issued a similar warning a few days earlier.
Hundreds of flights involving thousands of tourists arrive and depart at both airports every day.
“Measles is a highly contagious disease that can spread easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Measles symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people have a fever of more than 101 degrees, a runny nose, red, watery eyes, and a cough. These symptoms usually begin 7 to 14 days after exposure,” the Virginia Department of Health said in a statement.
“The second stage begins 3 to 5 days after symptoms begin, when the rash begins to appear on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.”
“People with measles are contagious from 4 days before the rash appears to 4 days after the rash appears,” he added.
The unveiling took place at Dulles International Airport between 4 and 8 pm on January 3, then in terminal A at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport the following day from 2:30 to 6:30 pm Getty Images
Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when someone coughs or sneezes. Getty Images
It is not clear which airline the person with measles was on.
Both health agencies said anyone exposed and at risk of measles should be on the lookout for symptoms until January 25.
“If you find symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying at home and away from others. Contact your healthcare provider immediately,” they both added.
“Call first before going to your health care provider’s office or emergency room to let them know you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to contact the health department. This will help protect patients and other staff.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
