Health officials in Los Angeles County have announced a confirmed case of measles following an infected passenger who arrived on a Qatar Airways flight on November 27.

QR739, November 27

The passenger, who traveled from Doha to Los Angeles on QR739 on November 27, arrived at Terminal B, Gate 155, and it is believed the passenger would have passed through the airport while infectious.

Any other travelers in Terminal B on November 27 between the hours of 12:30 and 18:00 are considered to be at a higher risk of developing measles due to this exposure. The Centre for Disease Control will notify passengers who were onboard the QR flight if assigned to specific seats that were close to the infected passengers. Those unvaccinated for measles are at risk of catching the infectious disease between seven and 21 days following the exposure.

Guidelines from LA County Health

Guidelines released by the Los Angeles County Health Authority encourage any individuals who are at risk of the exposure to follow these instructions:

• Review your health records to check if you have had a measles vaccine
• If you are unvaccinated and at risk from the exposure, talk to your healthcare provider
• If pregnant, have an infant, or have a weakened immune system, contact your health care provider regardless of whether you are vaccinated or not

Photo: Coby Wayne | Shutterstock

• Talk to your healthcare provider about an MMR immunization
• Monitor for fever or rash from 7 to 21 days from the exposure date
• If you develop symptoms, stay at home and avoid large gatherings
  • Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, watery and red eyes, a rash, and white spots inside the mouth

So far this year, the United States has recorded 280 measles cases, which is double that of what the country experienced last year. 40% of these cases required hospitalization, and most infected were unimmunized.

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Passengers seated in a certain section of the flight have been notified about the incident to check for potential exposure.

Traveling while infectious

Qatar Airways was known for being the most active airline throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, retaining a robust network of flights worldwide while many other airlines hibernated to weather the pandemic. While Qatar Airways does not have specific advice for traveling while infectious with measles, the airline does encourage all individuals to hold travel insurance and avoid travel if they are unwell.

Photo: Svitlana Hulko | Shutterstock

If travel is undertaken while infectious, the airline encourages passengers to:

• Check-in online to reduce interactions at the airport
• Have checked baggage only to avoid other passengers touching your belongings and provide ease of movement
• Wear a face mask at all times, and bring your spares as required
• Arrive with extra time at the airport in case of extra security and health check procedures
• Social distancing from others while in the terminal and while onboard (if possible)
• Let gate staff know so they can ensure you are provided additional space when boarding
• Inform cabin crew you are feeling unwell so they can make additional accommodations where possible

Norse Atlantic passenger arrives in Los Angeles while infectious

Earlier this year, Simple Flying reported on another case of an infectious passenger arriving in Los Angeles onboard a Norse Atlantic flight from the United Kingdom. The passenger, who was traveling on a flight from London Gatwick, arrived at Los Angeles International Airport onboard Z0711 on Friday, July 26. It was identified that those within the terminal between 14:30 and 16:00 were at risk of catching the disease.

Photo: Photofex_AUT | Shutterstock

The Qatar Airways case is the third to be reported from an arriving flight into Los Angeles, following a Turkish Airlines flight at the beginning of the year, Norse Atlantic, and now this week’s case. Other cases have been recorded at Washington Dulles and Ronald Regan Airport in January.

Due to sophisticated technology air filters installed on aircraft, it is unlikely that the spread of measles can be transferred through aircraft air conditioning. However, the same can not be said for airport terminal airflow, and local health authorities are most concerned about the spread of this infectious disease here.

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