Amid the increase in passenger flow due to the holidays, United States health authorities confirmed the presence of measlesa highly contagious disease, in airports with high international traffic.
The reports ignited health alerts about the risk of spread during the peak travel season.
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The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) reported that On December 12, a case of measles was identified in a passenger who transited through terminals B and C of Newark Liberty International Airport.. The virus, which is transmitted through the air, can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes and remain suspended for up to two hours after leaving an enclosed space.
According to the official statement, “Symptoms of measles include high fever, cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes, and a rash that usually appears three to five days after symptoms begin.” The description adds that “The rash usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline and extend down to the neck, torso, arms, legs, and feet.”
The virus can remain in the environment for up to two hours after the departure of the infected passenger. Photo:iStock
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Tracking contacts and people at risk
Health authorities recommended that those who believe they have been exposed or have symptoms first contact their health care provider before going to a hospital or care facility. In that context, the NJDOH noted that “The NJDOH is working collaboratively with local health officials on ongoing contact tracing and efforts to notify individuals who may have been exposed and identify additional exposures that may have occurred.”
The agency indicated that the greatest risk falls on people who do not have the complete vaccination schedule or who have not had measles before. So far this year, New Jersey has confirmed 11 cases of this disease.
The alert coincides with a significant increase in air traffic. The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that 8.03 million travelers will travel by air in the United States during the holiday season.
This is what measles rashes look like on people. You must pay attention to the signs. Photo:iStock
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The situation is not limited to New Jersey. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed on Christmas Eve that a visitor from Texas He was diagnosed with measles after arriving at Boston’s Logan International Airport. According to the statement, the person traveled on American Airlines Flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth and remained in Terminal B.
At the national level, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that As of December 23, 2,012 cases of measles had been recorded in the United States.
Regarding prevention measures, Connecticut DPH Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani stressed the importance of immunization. “The best way to protect your children and yourself from measles is to get vaccinated,” he wrote in a statement, as reported by Fox News Digital. The official added that “One dose of the measles vaccine is approximately 93% effective, while two doses are approximately 97% effective.”
*This content was written with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on publicly known information disclosed to the media. In addition, it was reviewed by the journalist and an editor.
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