Health Officials Warn Of Possible Measles Exposure At DIA

DENVER, CO — The Tri-County Health Department is warning of possible measles exposure at Denver International Airport. Three unvaccinated children who were visiting Colorado tested positive for measles, health officials said.

The children, who are residents of another state, recently visited a country that has an ongoing measles outbreak, according to the department.

People visiting the following locations on the following dates may have been exposed to measles:

Wednesday, Dec. 11:
From 1:15 p.m. until 5:45 p.m. at Denver International Airport - Concourse A, train to baggage claim, west baggage claim, and west level 4 passenger pick up areas.

Thursday, Dec. 12:
From 1 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Children's Hospital Colorado - Anschutz Campus Emergency Department — 13123 E 16th Ave, Aurora.

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Anyone who was on the plane with the children or who visited the Children's Hospital Colorado during the time frames listed above are being contacted directly by public health officials, the department said.

“I urge everyone to make sure they have gotten their Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine,” John M. Douglas, executive director of Tri-County Health Department, said in a statement. "Vaccination is the only way to protect yourself and the ones you love from measles.”

Symptoms of measles include a rash that starts on the face and neck and then spreads, a high fever, runny nose, cough and red, watery eyes. The fever starts about 10 days (range seven to 18 days) after exposure. The rash appears about 14 days after exposure. Infants and adults are usually sicker than children and teenagers.

Measles is a serious, highly contagious disease caused by a virus that spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or exposes others through direct contact with infected nose or throat secretions.

People who have questions about exposure or who need general information about measles can call CO-Help at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911 for answers in English and Spanish.