The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency announced Saturday that a passenger on an airline flight last week has been hospitalized with a confirmed case of measles.
The infected passenger was on the Continental Airlines flight 1689 from Houston to San Diego on May 17, and was hospitalized shortly after landing in San Diego. The measles was confirmed on Friday.
Health officials are attempting to contact the 50 + passengers with local addresses to warn them of the exposure and find out if they have been vaccinated. Those from outside the region are also being tracked down.
According to a report in Carlsbad Patch.com:
The person with measles first became ill in London on May 14 and had never been vaccinated for the disease. She traveled to the United States on Continental Airlines flight #0005 from London to Houston on May 17. Her symptoms worsened on the flight to San Diego and she was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. No one in the San Diego International Airport terminal was exposed to measles because of the precautions taken by paramedics. Fifteen passengers on the international flight are also being contacted by public health officials.
In San Diego County, those concerned about exposure can contact county officials at (858) 565-5255.
Measles or rubeola, is an acute, highly communicable viral disease that is transmitted through respiratory secretions via coughing and sneezing. Koplik spots in the cheek or tongue are very early characteristics of the disease. A couple of days later a red blotchy rash appears first on the face, and then spreads, lasting 4-7 days. Other symptoms include fever, cough and red watery eyes. The patient may be contagious from four days prior to the rash appearance to four days after rash appearance.
The disease is more severe in infants and adults. Complications from measles which is reported in up to 20% of people infected include; seizures, pneumonia, deafness and encephalitis.
Prevention of measles is through vaccination.
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