Measles Alert: What You Need to Know About Recent Exposure at Denver Airport

A measles alert has been issued for people who were at Denver International Airport (DIA) on December 12. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) shared that someone with measles was at the airport that day. The person arrived at Gate B45 at 7:24 p. m. and later left from Gate B84 at 9:41 p. m. for another flight. Passengers on these flights have been informed by their local health departments. The good news is that the person who had measles is fully vaccinated. This lowers the risk of spreading the disease, but it's not zero. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that even with two doses of the vaccine, about three out of 100 people can still get measles if exposed.Measles symptoms start with a fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. A few days later, a rash usually appears on the face and spreads. If you were at DIA on December 12, you should watch for these symptoms until January 2. If you notice any, call your doctor. It's important to remember that vaccines work, but they're not 100% effective. This is why health officials remind everyone to stay alert and take precautions when needed.