Measles symptoms confirmed in passenger of London flight

Measles symptoms confirmed in passenger of London flight

Measles symptoms were seen in a female passenger from London who traveled through four U.S. airports on her way home to New Mexico.

The woman arrived in February 20 at Washington Dulles International Airport then departed from a Baltimore airport to Denver, and then finally to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention spokesman Tom Skinner said the woman showed measles symptoms and diagnosed in her home state.

Health officials said passengers who sat close to the ill passenger were being notified. Workers at the U.S. airports were also informed about the possibility that they may have been exposed to the measles virus.

"The appropriate steps are being taken to reach out to those passengers on the plane that were in close enough proximity," Skinner said.

Measles is uncommon in the United States because of widespread vaccination. But cases are recorded from time to time because not all individuals are vaccinated. The infected traveler from Sta. Fe, New Mexico was not vaccinated against the communicable disease.

The condition remains a scourge elsewhere in the world, with 10 million people infected and 164,000 killed by the infection each year, the CDC says. Because of the threat, health officials urge Americans going abroad to get vaccinated. Those who exhibit symptoms of measles should consult with their physician immediately.

Measles can be transmitted through coughing and sneezing. Complications like pneumonia and encephalitis are most common in children. Fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes and a characteristic body rash called Koplik's spots are all measles symptoms.

Posted by Sophia Andrews on Sunday February 27 2011, 4:27 AM EST. Ref: AP. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Travel. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0