Summary
Health authorities are warning of a potential measles exposure at Los Angeles International Airport from a traveler carrying the disease. People who passed through the airport’s international terminal at the end of January may be at risk of developing measles, which is highly contagious and can lead to severe illness.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LA Public Health) officials are cautioning the public about a potential measles exposure at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The agency revealed that an individual infected with the highly contagious disease passed through the airport after arriving on a long-haul flight operated by Turkish Airlines.
This alert marks the second potential measles exposure at a US airport within a month. Doctors warn that it may take up to two weeks for symptoms to appear after initial exposure.
“May be at risk”
LA Public Health confirmed that the infected traveler arrived on Turkish Airlines flight 9 (TK-9) at gate 157 at the Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B) on Thursday, January 25th, around 17:00.
The agency stated that anyone in the vicinity during a four-hour window could have been exposed.
“Individuals who were at Terminal B from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. may be at risk of developing measles due to exposure to this traveler. In collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control, passengers assigned to specific seats that may been exposed on Turkish Airlines 009 on January 25, 2024, will be notified by local Departments of Health. These agencies work together to investigate communicable disease exposures on international flights to the United States.”
Photo: ThaKlein | Shutterstock
It is not clear in which class the passenger was seated or their exact location on the aircraft. According to FlightAware, TK-9 was operated by an Airbus A350-900 and originated from Istanbul Airport (IST). Data shows the plane departed from gate D10 at 14:44. After a lengthy 13-hour and 27-minute journey, the aircraft landed on Runway 24L at LAX at approximately 17:11. It arrived at the gate 10 minutes later, at 17:21.
Where the aircraft has been
The A350, registered as TC-LGF, stayed on the ground at LAX for just over two hours before operating as TK-10 back to IST. However, it pushed back from gate 157 at 19:28, nearly 50 minutes after its scheduled departure time of 18:40. The cause of the delay is unknown. While it could have been due to intensive cleaning, details on when the inflight crew and health officials became aware of the infected passenger onboard remain unclear.
Simple Flying reached out to Turkish Airlines and Los Angeles World Airports, the owner and operator of LAX, for comment on Friday. However, representatives from neither party could be reached.
Photo: Omid Behzadpour | Shutterstock
TC-LGF has performed several other flights since January 25th. Flight data shows that the widebody aircraft has flown 14 other legs, visiting Brazil, Indonesia, Argentina, Vietnam, Northern Cyprus, and Lebanon.
Second scare so far this year
The potential exposure comes after health officials in Virginia warned that travelers possibly came in contact with a person infected with measles last month. Out of an abundance of caution, officials warned of potential exposure(s) at Washington Dulles International Airport and Ronald Regan Washington National Airport.
Read More Health Officials Warn Of Potential Measles Exposure At Washington DC Airports Any individual who may have come into contact with an infected person is advised to “watch for symptoms” through next week.
LA Public Health encourages people to receive the measles vaccine, emphasizing that those who “have not yet obtained the vaccine” are “at risk” of contracting the disease if exposed.
“Measles is spread by air and by direct contact even before you know you have it and can lead to severe disease,” said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer. “Measles is highly contagious for those who are not immune to it. Initially causing fever, cough, red, watery eyes, and followed by a rash, it can result in serious complications for young children and vulnerable adults.”
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