Travelers who recently visited John F. Kennedy International Airport or were on a shuttle bus from the airport should be on high alert due to the possibility of having been exposed to the measles.
Multiple outlets are reporting that a child – an unvaccinated U.S. national – who arrived at the airport on a China Airlines flight subsequently tested positive for measles.
After arriving at JFK’s Terminal 4 on the evening of February 25, the patient reportedly departed that terminal on a shuttle bus to Philadelphia around 9:30pm. Health authorities in Pennsylvania have traced the sick child’s path and say they arrived at the Pho Ha Saigon restaurant, on 575 Adams Avenue, Philadelphia, PA at around 3:15 am. Later that morning, they were taken to True North Pediatrics Associates of Plymouth and CHOP King of Prussia Campus Emergency Department, both between 11.45am and 3pm. That’s when/where they were eventually diagnosed with the highly contagious, potentially fatal disease.
Health officials are in the midst of contacting those who were undoubtedly exposed. They are strongly advising that passengers who were potentially exposed to the child be tested for measles.
Measles has recently been making headlines, with recent outbreaks in Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Rhode Island, and Texas, according to the CDC.
The department said: “Measles virus can remain in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area. If someone breathes in the contaminated air or touches an infected surface and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth, they can become infected.”
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