Measles cases reported in Los Angeles, Orange counties

Local health officials warned the public Thursday about recent measles cases in Los Angeles and Orange counties.

A person infected with measles who recently traveled through Los Angeles International Airport prompted a warning from the county Department of Public Health. The individual, who is not an LA County resident, was at the airport while infectious Nov. 27 after arriving on Qatar Airways flight QR 0739 at the Tom Bradley International Airport Terminal B, Gate 155.

Individuals who were at the airport terminal from approximately 12:30-6 p.m. may risk developing measles due to exposure to the infected traveler. Health officials were working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to identify and notify passengers assigned to specific seats who may have been exposed during the Nov. 27 flight.

“Measles spreads easily through the air and on surfaces and easily between people who are not already protected from it,” LA County Health Officer Muntu Davis said in a statement. “A person can spread the illness to others before they have symptoms, and it can take seven to 21 days for symptoms to show up after being exposed. Measles can lead to severe disease in young children and vulnerable adults. The best way to protect yourself and your family from infection is with the highly effective measle vaccine.”

Exposed individuals should confirm if they have received a measles vaccine, officials said. People who have not had measles in the past or have not received the vaccine risk of contracting the virus if they have been exposed. Exposed individuals who have been free of symptoms for more than 21 days — in this case Dec. 18 — no longer risk developing measles.

If symptoms develop, health officials advised staying at home and avoiding school, work and large gatherings.

“Call a healthcare provider immediately,” according to the health department. “Do not enter a health care facility before calling them and making them aware of your measles exposure and symptoms.”

Measles spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes, health officials said. The virus can remain airborne and on surfaces for many hours after an infected person has left an area. An infected person can spread the virus up to four days before a rash appears and up to four days after its appearance. Breathing contaminated air or contacting an infected surface, then touching eyes, noses or mouths can lead to a measles infection

Common measles symptoms include high fever above 101 degrees, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, tiny white spots that may appear inside the mouth two or three days after symptoms start and rash three to five days following other signs of illness. The measles rash usually starts at the face and spreads downward to the remainder of the body.

More information from the county is online at ph.lacounty.gov/measles.

Nationwide as of Nov. 21, 280 measles cases have been reported in 2024 — more than double the number of cases reported in all of last year. Additionally, 40% of this year’s cases required hospitalization to manage complications or for isolation. Most of the cases were in unimmunized individuals.

In LA County this year, one other case of measles was reported in February.

Infant with measles visits OC Children’s Hospital ER

Orange County health officials Thursday said an infant infected with measles returned to the county following international travel.

The infant made three visits to Children’s Hospital of Orange County Emergency Department from noon-5 p.m. on Nov. 30, 2-10 p.m. Monday and 5:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, according to the OC Health Care Agency.

“With recent and upcoming holiday travel there are potential areas of exposure,” Orange County Health Officer Regina Chinsio-Kwong said in a statement. “If you are planning to travel and have not been immunized, talk to a provider to consider getting a vaccine. It is important for those returning from travel to monitor for symptoms. If a rash develops, call your medical provider before arriving at the medical office, to avoid exposing others to the measles virus. Immunization provides the best protection.”

County and hospital personnel were working to identify and contact “anyone who may have been exposed to this case and who are at increased risk of severe outcomes, such as infants, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems,” according to an OCHCA statement.

Potentially exposed people were urged to confirm their vaccination status or possible immunization through prior infection.

Additional information about measles in Orange County including possible updates to this latest case are at ochealthinfo.com/measles. 

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