Los Angeles (Thechieftainspear) – Health officials in Los Angeles County are urging the public to be aware of potential measles exposure after a local resident, recently diagnosed with the virus, visited several public locations before the infection was identified.
According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH), the individual arrived at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on March 5, flying in on China Airlines Flight 8 from Taipei. They were present in the Tom Bradley International Terminal between 7 p.m. and 10:40 p.m. that evening.
Passengers seated in areas of potential exposure during the flight will be contacted by public health authorities, with assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Two days later, on March 7, the infected individual visited Cloud 9 Nails, a salon located at 5142 N. Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollywood. On March 11, they were present at the Superior Grocery Store at 10683 Valley Blvd. in El Monte.
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Risk of Exposure and Symptoms
Health officials have advised that individuals who were at these locations during the specified times could be at risk of developing measles. Those uncertain about their vaccination status should check their records, as unvaccinated individuals face a higher risk of infection.
Symptoms of measles generally appear one to three weeks after exposure and include:
- High fever (above 101°F)
- Persistent cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- Rash appearing 3-5 days after initial symptoms
The virus is highly contagious and can remain in the air or on surfaces for several hours after an infected person has left the area. Measles spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes. A person can transmit the virus up to four days before developing a rash and up to four days afterward.
Recent Measles Cases in California
Measles cases in California have been linked to international travel, according to LACDPH. The last reported case in an L.A. County resident before this incident was in February 2024.
The latest case follows a similar incident two weeks earlier when an infant from Orange County arrived in L.A. with measles after traveling from Korea. The CDC reports that, as of March 6, 222 cases have been confirmed across 12 states this year, with numbers expected to rise.
Tragically, at least one fatality has been linked to the outbreak. A school-aged child in Texas, who had not been vaccinated, died from the virus in February. Additionally, a New Mexico resident tested positive for measles posthumously, though the official cause of death is still under investigation.
Preventative Measures
Health officials emphasize that measles can be prevented with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Most insurance plans cover the vaccine, and those seeking immunization should check with their healthcare provider or pharmacy.
For individuals without insurance, several clinics in Los Angeles County offer free or low-cost vaccinations. Public health officials encourage anyone at risk to get vaccinated as soon as possible to help prevent further spread of the virus .
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