An international visitor traveling from Boston to Amsterdam using public transportation on Saturday, June 22 may have exposed others to measles. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the person traveled from Boston to Amsterdam while infectious.
The potential exposure to this individual may have taken place at 11:40 a.m. on the Dartmouth Coach bus line in Hanover, NH, and then continued onto Boston, MA arriving at Logan Airport around 2:40 p.m. The individual was also at Terminal E on Flight KLM6016 from Boston to Amsterdam from 2:40 p.m. to 8:40 p.m.
In addition, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed that the individual was in various areas between June 20-22, including the Dartmouth College campus, Hanover Inn, Hanover Scoops, and Lou’s Restaurant and Bakery in Hanover.
Measles is an extremely contagious disease that can spread easily through respiratory droplets when an infected person talks or coughs near someone else who is not immune to the virus. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes before a body rash develops. Those experiencing such symptoms should contact a healthcare provider before visiting any medical facility or school setting to prevent further spread of the disease.
According to Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD, measles has been experiencing an increase in cases and outbreaks worldwide due to decreased vaccination rates among young adults and children aged one year or older who are not fully vaccinated against the disease. The best way to protect oneself from measles is by ensuring they are vaccinated against it with two doses of MMR vaccine spaced four weeks apart for those up to age 18 months old or one dose for those aged 18 months old or older who have never had two doses of MMR vaccine before their fifth birthday if they are traveling internationally or attending a school setting where there has been an outbreak of measles reported within the past six months.
It is important for individuals who believe they may have been exposed to measles or anyone experiencing symptoms of measles to contact their healthcare provider immediately for evaluation and treatment as needed.
To prevent further spread of measles among unvaccinated individuals in Massachusetts communities affected by this exposure event:
– Anyone who believes they may have been exposed should monitor themselves closely for signs and symptoms of measles.
– If you develop symptoms such as high fever (fever above 103°F), coughing that lasts more than three days (or new cough), runny nose that lasts more than three days (or new runny nose), watery eyes that last more than three days (or new watery eyes) before a rash appears on your face (usually starting behind your ears) then contact your healthcare provider immediately.
– Contact your healthcare provider if you plan on attending any medical facilities or schools where there has been an outbreak reported within the past six months.
– Unvaccinated individuals should talk with their healthcare provider about getting vaccinated against measles as soon as possible.
– Individuals who believe they may have been exposed should wash their hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer containing alcohol after being out in public places or after coming into close contact with someone who has signs and symptoms of measles.