O'Hare Measles Patient May Have Exposed Other Passengers

CHICAGO, IL — A passenger who arrived at O'Hare International Airport last week may have exposed other travelers to measles, a highly contagious respiratory disease. The Illinois Department of Public Health said anyone who was at the airport on Wednesday between 6:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. may have been exposed. Travelers who were at the airport during that time and have not been vaccinated should see a doctor to be tested for the illness, IDPH said in a statement.

Health officials said a passenger who landed at Terminal 5, the airport's international terminal, was confirmed to have measles.

IDPH said the passenger was "infectious on that day" and "may have traveled to other areas of the airport." Anyone who was exposed may develop symptoms as late as Jan. 31, according to health officials.

"Local health departments are working to notify Illinois residents who were identified as being potentially exposed on the ill person’s flights," IDPH said.

According to IDPH, measles symptoms include fever, red and sore eyes, runny nose and a telltale rash. The virus can lead to severe health complications — including pneumonia, encephalitis or swelling of the brain, and even death. The contagious illness is transmitted from an infected person by coughing and sneezing, and the virus can remain in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours. People can catch measles by coming into contact with mucus or saliva from an infected person.

IDPH urged residents to make sure they and their family members are up to date on their MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccinations. Measles can be prevented with the MMR vaccine, which is recommended for children at 12 months of age. A second measles shot is also now required in Illinois for children in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Anyone who believes they or their child has measles should see a doctor immediately. Those who are diagnosed with measles are contagious and should avoid work, school and social activities from the time when they first notice symptoms until five days after the rash appears.

Treatment for measles includes bed rest, lots of fluids and medicine for fever and headache, IDPH said. Antibiotics do not help either to cure measles or to prevent it. There are no anti-viral drugs for treating measles.

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh