Monroe County health officials warn of potential measles exposure at Rochester airport

Rochester, New York – The Monroe County Department of Public Health is warning members of the community about possible measles exposure involving travelers who passed through Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport earlier this month.

The individuals who tested positive for measles were at the airport on Sept. 8 and Sept. 13. Health officials said they are not residents of Monroe County and were traveling through Rochester on their way to another destination.

The potential exposure does not mean everyone who was at the airport during those periods will become sick. County health officials said the risk of illness is considered low because many people in the community have immunity to measles through vaccination or because they have previously had the disease.

Monroe County residents who were on flights affected by the potential exposure and need specific guidance will be contacted directly by the Department of Public Health.

Health officials are asking people who were inside the airport during certain times to monitor themselves for symptoms.

Anyone who was at the airport between 3:20 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Sept. 8 should monitor for signs and symptoms of measles through Tuesday, Sept. 29.

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People who were inside the airport between 11:20 p.m. on Sept. 13 and 2 a.m. on Sept. 14 should continue monitoring through Monday, Oct. 5.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. It spreads through direct contact with nasal or throat secretions from an infected person. While the disease can affect people of any age, certain groups face a greater risk of serious illness.

Those considered at highest risk include pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems, infants and adults who have not been vaccinated or have never had measles.

For people who are immune to measles, becoming ill after exposure is considered unlikely. Health officials said vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent the disease.

Symptoms do not necessarily appear immediately after exposure. They generally develop within 10 to 12 days, although it can take as long as 21 days.

The illness typically develops in two stages. During the first stage, which usually lasts two to four days, a person may experience a runny nose, cough and a mild fever. The eyes can become red and sensitive to light, while the fever may rise gradually and can reach between 103 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

Small bluish-white spots surrounded by a reddish area can also appear inside the mouth.

The second stage usually begins between the third and seventh day of illness. A red, blotchy rash develops and generally lasts for five to six days. It typically begins on the face before spreading downward and outward to the rest of the body, including the hands and feet.

The rash generally disappears in the same direction in which it appeared, beginning with the head and eventually reaching the extremities.

A person with measles can spread the virus from four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash begins. Because of that, health officials are urging anyone who develops symptoms after a possible exposure to take precautions before visiting a medical facility or other public location.

People who are unsure about their vaccination status should contact their health care provider or the local health department to determine what steps they should take.

Anyone who becomes ill after a possible exposure should seek medical care immediately. However, health officials say people should first contact their health care provider or an emergency department before arriving in person. This allows medical staff to take steps to avoid exposing other patients and workers.

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People who develop symptoms should also stay away from work, school and other public places. They are also asked to notify their local health department about the possible measles exposure.

Monroe County residents can contact the Monroe County Department of Public Health at 585-753-5555. People living outside Monroe County should contact the health department in the county where they live.

The airport exposure alert comes with a reminder that measles can occur at any age, even though it is often associated with childhood illness. Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, commonly known as the MMR vaccine, are recommended for protection against measles.

Health officials are encouraging residents to check their vaccination records and speak with a health care provider if they do not know whether they have received the recommended doses.

More information about measles, symptoms and prevention is available through the Monroe County Department of Public Health and the New York State Department of Health.