Measles Case Confirmed on SkyWest-Operated United Airlines Flight from LAX to Fresno

A confirmed case of measles has been reported on a recent SkyWest-operated United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Fresno, California. The incident is part of a broader outbreak, with over 150 cases of the highly contagious virus reported.

On May 28, 2024, health officials in Fresno County announced that a passenger diagnosed with measles had traveled on United Airlines Flight 5591 from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) on May 19. The flight, operated by SkyWest Airlines, was approximately 70% full at the time. Following this announcement, warnings were issued to all passengers who traveled through these airports on that date.

Flight 5591 is a daily service, and according to FlightAware, it departed LAX shortly before 20:00 Pacific Time, landing in Fresno at 21:12 after a flight duration of one hour and 14 minutes. The aircraft used for this flight was an Embraer E175, which seats 70 to 76 passengers, depending on the configuration.

Measles is known for its high communicability, surpassing that of COVID-19 and influenza. Health authorities, including the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, have advised passengers who traveled through FAT and LAX to monitor for symptoms and seek medical attention if needed. Symptoms include a runny nose, fever, watery eyes, and a characteristic rash that begins at the hairline and spreads downward.

In addition to this incident, there was a previous report on May 18 of another measles case involving a traveler at LAX. This individual had arrived on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha and was not a Los Angeles resident. It remains unclear if these cases are related.

Health officials are conducting thorough investigations and urging the public to remain vigilant. United Airlines has yet to comment on the situation.