Boston MA-According to the Boston Public Health Commission and the state’s Department of Public Health, an infected passenger arrived at Terminal C just after midnight on April 14. This individual was a passenger on JetBlue Flight 470, which departed from Fort Lauderdale on the evening of April 13. Officials noted that after arriving in Boston, the person departed the airport in a private car and headed out of state.
Anyone who spent time in Terminal C between midnight and 2:30 a.m. on April 14 could have been exposed. Health experts advise anyone who is unvaccinated and was present during that window to contact a doctor right away. These individuals are also urged to stay home from work, school, and other public areas through May 5 while monitoring for symptoms.
This incident follows two other confirmed measles cases reported in Massachusetts earlier this year, the first the state has seen since 2020.
While the virus is highly infectious, medical experts emphasize that those who have received their shots are generally safe. Dr. Daniel Kuritzkes of Brigham and Women’s Hospital noted that most residents were vaccinated as children, providing lifelong protection. He added that the primary groups at risk are the unvaccinated, those who are severely immunocompromised, and infants under six months old.
Measles typically presents with a high fever, cough, and watery eyes, followed by a signature red rash that begins on the face and moves down the body. In severe instances, the virus can lead to dangerous complications like brain inflammation or pneumonia.
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