West Virginia health officials have issued an alert after a case of measles was confirmed at the Washington Dulles International Airport in Maryland. The infected traveler visited Terminal A between March 5 and 9 pm on that day.
Measles is a contagious respiratory virus that can lead to serious complications, especially for young people. Symptoms typically appear within a week or two after contact and may include fever, cough, runny nose, and rash.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that ear infections and diarrhea are common complications, but pneumonia and encephalitis are more severe risks. Unvaccinated individuals exposed to the virus should quarantine for three weeks and seek medical attention if symptoms appear.
Measles can be prevented with vaccines, typically administered as part of a mumps and rubella vaccine series starting at 12-15 months old. Health officials in Kanawha-Charleston are warning against home remedies that do not work and encouraging residents to check their immunization records for boosters if needed.
Source: https://wchstv.com/news/local/state-health-officials-issue-alert-after-west-virginians-exposed-to-measles