Second Measles Case This Year: Passenger Travels to Los Angeles from London on Norse Atlantic Airways

An international passenger traveling from London to Los Angeles last week was found to be infected with measles, according to the Orange County Department of Public Health (DPH). This is the second such incident reported this year. Authorities are now working to identify those who may have been exposed.

Norse Atlantic Airways flight Z0711, which operates between London Gatwick Airport (LGW) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), carried a passenger infected with measles on Friday, July 26th. The flight landed at LAX at 14:18, and the DPH has warned that passengers and staff in the international terminal between 14:30 and 16:00 that day could be at risk of exposure.

In collaboration with the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Orange County Health Care Agency, the DPH is assessing potential exposures and will contact passengers seated near the infected individual.

The Orange County Health Care Agency announced on July 31st that symptoms of measles could develop 7 to 21 days after exposure. The infection, spread through air and surfaces, poses a higher risk to those who are unvaccinated or vulnerable. Although HEPA filters and constant air circulation onboard aircraft reduce the spread of infections, airport environments still pose a significant risk.

Symptoms of measles include high fever, red and watery eyes, and a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Vaccination remains the best protection against measles.

This is not the first measles case in Los Angeles this year. In January, a passenger arriving at LAX from Istanbul Airport (IST) on a Turkish Airlines flight was found to be infected. Similar protocols were followed to contain potential exposure. Additionally, potential measles exposure was reported at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in January.