Possible measles exposure has been reported at Philadelphia International Airport, prompting health officials to issue a warning. According to authorities, individuals who visited terminals A and B between 8:50 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Sunday may have come into contact with a traveler infected with the virus.
As part of the US has seen its highest number of measles cases and deaths in over two decades, officials are urging people to check their vaccination statuses and monitor for symptoms. However, they emphasized that the exposure does not pose an immediate threat to the general public.
"We're seeing measles outbreaks across many countries, which increases the potential for travel-related cases and subsequent outbreaks here in the US," said Health Commissioner Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson. "We strongly encourage parents to follow the CDC's immunization schedule and get their children vaccinated as soon as possible."
For those who may have been exposed, health officials recommend checking vaccination status. Those born before 1957 or with previous measles exposure are protected, but others need to take precautions, including quarantining at home for three weeks, wearing masks when venturing out, and receiving the MMR vaccine.
Babies under 12 months, pregnant women who are not immune, and individuals with weakened immune systems should contact their healthcare providers. If exposed and symptomatic before November 30, they must seek immediate medical attention.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing, infecting approximately 9 out of 10 people in close proximity. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, puffy red eyes, followed by a characteristic rash. Measles can be fatal to infants, young children, and those with weakened immune systems.
The latest CDC data shows that the US has reported 1,681 measles cases and three deaths through November 4.
As part of the US has seen its highest number of measles cases and deaths in over two decades, officials are urging people to check their vaccination statuses and monitor for symptoms. However, they emphasized that the exposure does not pose an immediate threat to the general public.
"We're seeing measles outbreaks across many countries, which increases the potential for travel-related cases and subsequent outbreaks here in the US," said Health Commissioner Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson. "We strongly encourage parents to follow the CDC's immunization schedule and get their children vaccinated as soon as possible."
For those who may have been exposed, health officials recommend checking vaccination status. Those born before 1957 or with previous measles exposure are protected, but others need to take precautions, including quarantining at home for three weeks, wearing masks when venturing out, and receiving the MMR vaccine.
Babies under 12 months, pregnant women who are not immune, and individuals with weakened immune systems should contact their healthcare providers. If exposed and symptomatic before November 30, they must seek immediate medical attention.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing, infecting approximately 9 out of 10 people in close proximity. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, puffy red eyes, followed by a characteristic rash. Measles can be fatal to infants, young children, and those with weakened immune systems.
The latest CDC data shows that the US has reported 1,681 measles cases and three deaths through November 4.
so they're saying there's been some kind of measles outbreak at Philly airport? 
️ people who went to terminals A and B on sunday might have caught it... 
anyone who hasn't had the vaccine or is over 50 needs to be careful, apparently 
. health officials are trying to stop it from spreading but are saying it's not a huge deal for most ppl yet 
. I don't know if i'd take the risk of getting vaccinated if i didn't already have one... 
as a parent I'm like super anxious thinking about my little ones getting infected. I mean I know we've got our schedules down pat with the MMR vaccine, but what if someone's vaccination status isn't up to date? 
. I do hope people are taking this seriously and getting checked out ASAP 
... I mean, why do they have to close whole terminals over a few isolated cases? It's so inconvenient for travelers 
. And what's with the "no immediate threat" thing? Yeah, right, until someone gets sick and it blows up into something bigger 
.
I'm tired of hearing about measles outbreaks and the CDC always being like "get vaccinated"... it feels like common sense or something 
. And don't even get me started on how complicated all this is - do they really need to quarantine people for three weeks? Can't we just, like, wear masks and hope for the best? 
. Like, what's the goal here - make everyone's life a little more stressful? 
and make sure you're protected... especially if you've got a weak immune system or are pregnant (like, who doesn't know that already?!). but honestly, i think the real issue here is how easily this thing spreads - 9 out of 10 people can catch it just by breathing near someone who's infected 
no joke, and measles can be super deadly to certain groups... so yeah, let's all just get vaccinated and move on, okay? 
they were at a party in usa for like 3 days without getting vaccinated 
gotta make sure everyone is safe & healthy 
1700+ cases of measles in the US already? That's insane! 
I'm definitely checking my vaccination status ASAP 
. We need to take this seriously! 
like what even is the point of having a public health system if u cant keep us safe from something as simple as a measly virus 
anyway, can't believe us is seeing so many cases in the states 
also, why did they wait till now to issue a warning? seems kinda obvious 
anyways gotta say, measles cases r really high rn and i hope ppl take this seriously 
. I mean, I get that we should be grateful our immunity rates are high and all, but still... how can one person cause so much damage? 
.
. My cousin's friend has a kid who got sick with measles last year and now she's always stressing about getting the vaccine for her other kids 
Like, isn't that crazy? And it's not just the kids who are worried, my elderly aunt got sick with measles a few years ago and she was in the hospital for ages... 
. Anyway, I guess it's good that health officials are being proactive about this and warning people to check their vaccination statuses 
.
!
! This is so not a drill, people 
. So, who's gettin' their kids vaccinated next?