A child from Beijing, China who arrived at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on July 4 has been identified to have measles. This means he may have exposed the public present in the area to measles.
Spokesman for Seattle & King County Public Health James Apa said to The Seattle Times that the child was on board a Hanan Airlines flight which arrived afternoon of July 4. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been calling those who were on the same flight.
The adoptive parents of the child contacted the health department after seeing the symptoms and confirming in the hospital that the child indeed is sick with measles.
Although the chances of being infected is low because most had measles vaccine, they still want to warn those that had not received any vaccine, as well as any pregnant women, babies below six months, and those with weak immune systems which may have been in the plane or in the airport. The disease is air-borne.
The health department detailed who may be probably at risk. Have yourself checked if you were at the airport between noon and 4 p.m on July 4 especially the following areas:
• South Satellite International Terminal arrival area.
• Immigration and primary screening.
• Adoption screening.
• Restrooms in the South Satellite.
• Baggage claim/customs.
• Train to main terminal.
• Main terminal baggage claim.
• Elevator in the main terminal to Level 2 parking garage.
If you need more information, you may visit the website or call Family Health Hotline at 800-322-2588.
Measles have an incubation period of 21 days so monitoring should be done until July 25. Look for warning signs such as runny nose, dry cough, red and watery eyes, sneezing, fever, muscle aches, and reddish-brown rashes.
According to the CDC, an average of 60 people was reported to have measles annually. The U.S has been measles-free since 2000 but travelers coming to the country were bringing the disease with them especially those who had been to Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Africa.
