Chicago health officials are investigating a possible public measles exposure that occurred last week at O’Hare International Airport. The Chicago Department of Public Health said it was investigating a confirmed case of measles in an international traveler who arrived at the airport on June 17.

Exposure Details

The department identified the airport’s Terminal 5 as a possible public exposure location between 5:50 a.m.-9:30 a.m. that day. The infected traveler was exposed to the virus outside the United States, based on the timing of their illness.

City health officials are working with healthcare workers, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the federal Centers For Disease Control and Prevention to identify and notify anyone who may have been exposed at O’Hare Airport. Measles is highly contagious, but it is also highly preventable through vaccination.

Anyone who believes they may have been exposed should check their vaccination status and contact their healthcare provider if they are unsure whether they are protected. Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are highly effective at preventing measles.

Measles symptoms usually appear 7-21 days after exposure and can include high fever, cough, running nose, red or watery eyes and a rash that can start on the face before spreading to the rest of the body. Infants and young children, pregnant people and anyone with weakened immune systems are susceptible to serious complications.

Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.