On May 19, 2024, a person with measles traveled through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and potentially exposed others to the disease. The individual arrived at Gate 156 of Tom Bradley International Terminal on Lufthansa flight LH452 from Munich, Germany around 3:04 p.m. After a five-hour layover, the traveler boarded Lufthansa flight LH7852 (operated by SkyWest Airlines as SKW5591) out of Terminal 7, Gate 82 to Fresno around 8 p.m.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued a warning for anyone who was at these locations during the specified times to confirm with their physician that they have been vaccinated against measles. Unimmunized individuals who were exposed are at risk of contracting measles within seven to 21 days after exposure.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads through the air and by direct contact, causing fever, cough, red watery eyes, tiny white spots inside the mouth, and a rash. It can lead to severe complications for young children and vulnerable adults. Measles is highly contagious before the appearance of a rash and up to four days after it appears.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health states that exposed individuals should confirm if they have been vaccinated against measles. If they have not had measles in the past and have not yet obtained the measles vaccine, they are at risk of contracting measles if they have been exposed. Unimmunized persons or those with unknown immunization status who were at this location during the date and times listed above are at risk of developing measles from 7 to 21 days after being exposed.
Exposed individuals who have been free of symptoms for more than 21 days (June 9th) are no longer at risk. Measles spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can stay in the air and on surfaces for many hours, even after the infected person has left. The infected person can spread the disease up to four days before a measles rash appears and up to four days after the rash appears.
If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected.
