Dulles Travelers at Risk for Measles

Health officials warn those who traveled through Dulles Airport earlier this month that they could have been exposed to the measles.

Travelers who were in the international airport between 6 and 9 p.m. on Friday, June 7, in concourse A or B, in the International arrivals area, or in the baggage claim area of the main terminal many have been exposed to a person with measles, a statement from the Virginia Department of Health details.

Measles is a highly contagious illness that is spread through coughing, sneezing, and contact with secretions from the nose, mouth, and throat of an infected individual. Measles symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes and a cough. The second stage begins around the third to seventh day when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads over the entire body.

What should you do if you were at Dulles International Airport, in Concourse A or B, in the International Arrivals Building or in the Baggage Claim level of the Main Terminal, from 6 – 9 p.m., on Friday, June 7, 2013?

If you notice the symptoms of measles, please call your primary health care provider to discuss further care. Call ahead and tell your primary health care provider’s office that you were exposed to measles, prior to going to the office or the ER.

Based on the date of exposure, we have determined that if you were infected with measles, you may develop symptoms as late as Friday, June 28, 2013.

Those who were on the plane of the person infected with the virus have been called by state or local health departments, according to the release.

Officials say measles is easily preventable:

Measles is easily preventable through safe and effective MMR vaccine. The best protection against future measles cases is the on-time vaccination of all susceptible persons. Two doses are recommended for most individuals with the first dose given at age 12-15 months and the second prior to kindergarten entry (age 4-6 years).