A person infected with measles traveled through Philadelphia International Airport this past weekend, health officials warned on Tuesday.
The possible exposure occurred in the airport’s terminals A and B between 8:50 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health said in a statement.
The department is asking anyone who visited those locations at the same date and times to check their vaccination status and watch for symptoms.
Symptoms of the virus include high fever, cough, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a rash that usually appears between three and five days after symptoms begin. If someone was exposed, symptoms could appear as late as 21 days after the exposure occurred.
Individuals at risk include those who have not been fully vaccinated or have not had measles in the past.
Measles is a highly contagious virus easily spread through the air by an infected person talking, coughing or sneezing.
In serious cases, infected people may develop pneumonia and encephalitis. Pregnant women may miscarry or deliver a low birth-weight baby, the health department said.
People with measles are contagious starting four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash is visible.
The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area, officials warned. People can also get sick when they come in contact with mucus or saliva from an infected person.
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