The Measles Virus can linger in the air for up-to two hours after being introduced through coughing and sneezing.
The Measles Virus can move from room to room on air currents, contaminating air and lingering as it moves.
It would be potentially catastrophic if an infected person were to pass through a highly congested international airport, but that is what is reported to have happened on February 20th and again on February 22nd.
Health Officials in five states are currently warning travelers, airport employees and others that they may have been exposed to the measles virus.
A 24-year-old French consulate employee who works at Bostons Back Bay Park Square Building traveled through the Dulles International Airport on February 22nd and has tested positive for the Measles Virus. There are possibly three additional cases that are directly linked to this woman who is suspected to have contracted the virus overseas.
One is a woman in her 20's that lives near the infected 24 year old
Another is a man in his 40's. Officials are unsure of any connection between the consulate worker and him.
The third is a woman in her 30's who happened to eat at the same restaurant as the 24 year old infected woman.
The three suspected cases are not yet confirmed. Tests in the Boston cases are due back early next week.
Boston Health officials have vaccinated 205 people associated with the Park Square Building so far.
Read more about the Boston Free Measles Vaccinations related to this story here.
An unvaccinated 27 year old Santa Fe County New Mexico woman with measles flew from the UK to Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia on February 20th and then flew from Baltimore to Denver and on to Albuquerque on February 22nd. She was aboard Southwest Airlines flight 2605, which departed Denver at 9:55 pm on the 22nd and arrived at Albuquerque Sunport at 11:10 pm.
Passengers and airport employees who in the airport or on flights on those days should call their doctors immediately if they develop symptoms of measles.
Do not go to work, school or out of your house if you have symptoms.
Symptoms begin with a runny nose, red, watery eyes and a fever of 101 degrees or higher, then progress to a red rash that begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body, according to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Read the Measles Virus Fact Sheet PDF here.
The virus can take from 5 to 18 days to start to show signs.
If you suspect that you may have been exposed, contact your doctor by phone before visiting the office for an examination so that you can alert them to your visit and give them ample time to eliminate the chance of additional infections being passed to the other patients in there office.
Personally, I wont be taking the metro for a week or so from now.
Share this post with your friends and followers on Twitter and FaceBook!
Join the conversation and post your thoughts!
1461 is currently read in over 55 country's and counting!
Information from:
USA Today: Liz Szabo
Air travelers may have been exposed to measles
Boston Public Health Offices
ABQNews: New Mexico Measles Case Confirmed
No comments:
Post a Comment
Welcome to the 1461. Join the conversation.
If this is your first visit - read the Comment Guidelines
Remember you have a Constitutionally protected right to anonymous political free speech, not a free pass to be an ass.