Possible measles exposure occurs at Boise Airport

The Department of Health and Welfare is notifying travelers and others of a possible measles exposure at Boise Airport, Sunday, March 29, between 1:30 a.m. and 7:40 a.m. Idaho local public health districts notified Boise Airport officials and are notifying Idahoans who shared flights with the person with measles.

The person with measles was traveling through the Boise Airport. People who may have been exposed should be aware of symptoms that may develop.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when infected people cough, sneeze, or talk. People who aren't protected against measles can get the virus up to two hours after someone else with measles left the same room or area. The early symptoms of measles are fever, runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash. In some people, it can be a very serious infection that leads to pneumonia, brain infection, and death.

Many countries, including popular tourist destinations, are experiencing measles outbreaks, as are parts of the U.S., so the risk of travel-related measles exposure is ongoing. People planning to travel, especially by air, are encouraged to speak with their doctor or other healthcare provider about their travel plans and vaccinations to protect their health.

The MMR vaccine is extremely effective at preventing measles and is routinely recommended for children 12-15 months of age, with a second dose at age 4-6 years. Infants under 12 months are not routinely recommended to receive the vaccine and are not protected. However, infants 6 to 11 months are recommended to receive a dose of MMR vaccine to protect them before traveling internationally.

Families who are traveling outside the United States or to an area in the United States with a large outbreak are encouraged to speak to their infant's doctor at least two weeks before travel.

For more information about measles, see https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/index.html. For international travel health notices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, see https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov.