An alert about a confirmed measles case for a Kenai-area resident who took a flight on the night of Jan. 10 from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport to Anchorage was issued Friday evening by the City and Borough of Juneau.
“There were multiple flights to Southeast Alaska during that afternoon and early evening during the time this infectious individual may have been at Concourse D,” the alert states. “If you were at the Sea-Tac Airport in Concourse D during that timeframe it is possible you may have been exposed. If you are not immune to measles, it is possible you may become infected. The most likely time you would become sick would be between January 17 – January 31.”
The infected person is a Southern Kenai Peninsula adult who is unvaccinated and began experiencing symptoms while returning home from an overseas trip, according to CBJ. The person was at Sea-Tac between 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
“The individual arrived at the S Concourse (Gate S8), went through International Arrivals and Customs Baggage Claim (Carousel 21), and boarded their flight to Alaska from Concourse D (Gate D7),” a notice posted by the King Country Department of Health states.
The CBJ alert states people who believe they may have been exposed, and develop an illness with a fever or unexplained rash should contact a health care provider.
”Measles is a highly infectious viral respiratory disease that spreads via the airborne route and through direct contact with respiratory secretions,” the alert states. “Measles typically starts with a fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and sore throat, and is followed by a rash that most frequently starts on the face and descends to involve the trunk and limbs.”
