Health officials in the nation’s capital are warning of possible measles exposure Tuesday after a person with a “confirmed case” traveled through two of the region’s busiest airports while returning home from an international trip.
DC Health says the possible 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 at Terminal A at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport the next day, from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m.
“DC Health has been notified of a confirmed case of measles in a person who traveled through DC area airports while returning from international travel,” the agency said in a statement. “While the threat of transmission is low, DC Health is notifying District residents who were at these locations of their potential exposure.”
The Virginia Department of Health issued a similar warning days earlier.
Hundreds of flights with thousands of travelers arrive and depart from both airports daily.
“Measles is a highly contagious disease that can easily spread 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, runny nose, red watery eyes, and cough. These symptoms typically 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 the onset of symptoms, when a 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 exposure occurred at Dulles International Airport between 4 and 8 pm on January 3, then at Terminal A at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport the next day, from 2:30 to 6:30 pm Getty Images
Measles is very contagious and spreads through the air when someone coughs or sneezes. fake images
It is not clear which airline the person with measles was traveling on.
Both health agencies say anyone who has been exposed and is at risk of developing measles should be on alert for symptoms until January 25.
“If you notice symptoms of measles, isolate yourself immediately by staying home and away from others. Contact your healthcare provider immediately,” they both add.
“Call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the health department. “This will help protect other patients and staff.”
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Source: vtt.edu.vn