Health authorities have issued alerts regarding a possible measles outbreak at Los Angeles International Airport.

A passenger arriving on a Korean Air flight from Seoul tested positive for this highly transmissible respiratory infection, which is currently surging in Texas, resulting in two fatalities reported.

Travelers present in Terminal B on February 19 between 1 PM and 4 PM are advised that they may be at heightened risk for exposure to the virus.

The airport is collaborating with the CDC to inform passengers on the flight who may have come into contact with the infected individual.

Individuals who think they might have been exposed at Los Angeles Airport are encouraged to check their measles vaccination status.

Experts indicate that the U.S. is particularly vulnerable to measles outbreaks due to declining vaccination rates. This week, America recorded its first measles-related death in a decade, involving an unvaccinated child in Texas.

Measles is spread through direct contact with infected droplets or through airborne transmission when an infected individual breathes, coughs, or sneezes.

Health officials have warned of a potential measles outbreak at Los Angeles International Airport

The illness manifests with symptoms like white spots in the mouth, flat red marks on the skin, ear infections, and high fever.

In severe cases, measles can lead to complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), and may result in death.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health warns that LAX passengers who have not received vaccinations are ‘at risk of contracting measles if they were exposed.’

Health professionals recommend that these individuals watch for symptoms, which typically appear 7 to 21 days post-exposure.

Initial symptoms often resemble those of a cold, including fever, cough, and nasal congestion, before a rash develops.

Individuals who have remained symptom-free for over 21 days following exposure (up to March 11) are likely no longer at risk.

Commenting on the situation, Los Angeles County Health Officer Muntu Davis stated, “Measles is a serious respiratory illness that spreads swiftly through the air and on surfaces, especially among unprotected individuals.”

He added, “A person can transmit the illness to others even before showing symptoms, and it can take between seven to 21 days for symptoms to manifest following exposure.”

“Measles poses significant risks to young children and vulnerable adults.”

He emphasized, “The most effective way to shield yourself and your family from this infection is by getting vaccinated with the highly efficient measles vaccine.”

The ongoing measles outbreak in West Texas has reached an alarming 124 cases, making it the largest cluster in the state in the last three decades

Cold-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, and runny or blocked nose, are typically the first indications of measles

This announcement comes shortly after officials reported a measles-related death in West Texas, marking the first fatal case in the U.S. since 2015.

Melissa Whitfield, spokesperson for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, confirmed that the death occurred recently.

A public health representative stated that the deceased was a resident of Gaines County who passed away in a Lubbock hospital.

The Texas Department of State Health Services reported that the individual was a ‘school-aged child who was not vaccinated’ and had been hospitalized the previous week.

As of February 25, health officials confirmed at least 124 measles cases, with 18 individuals hospitalized.

Notably, 62 cases involve children aged five to 17, while 39 cases pertain to toddlers aged four and under.

Only five individuals affected by the outbreak had received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The majority are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination statuses.

This marks the first measles-related death in the U.S. since 2015, as reported by the CDC.

The measles vaccine (MMR) is 97% effective against the virus and is a requirement for school attendance, although some states, including Texas, allow exemptions for religious or other reasons.

Nationally, the rate of children seeking vaccination exemptions has increased over the past decade, rising from 0.76% in 2014 to 3.3% for the 2023-2024 school year.

According to the CDC, vaccination coverage among kindergarteners fell to 93% for MMR vaccines in 2024.

Meanwhile, the Texas Department of Human and Health Services reports that 91% of children have received the MMR vaccine, which is lower than the desired immunization rate.

To achieve herd immunity, at least 94% coverage is considered necessary.