Idaho health officials are alerting travelers to a potential measles exposure at the Boise Airport after a person carrying the highly contagious virus passed through the facility in the early morning hours of Sunday, March 29. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare issued the warning, noting the infected individual was present at the airport before 7:40 a.m. Travelers who shared flights with that person are being contacted directly.
What Travelers Need to Know
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. One of the most contagious viruses known, it can linger in an enclosed space for up to two hours after an infected person has left — meaning exposure does not require direct contact. People who were at the Boise Airport during the relevant window and have not been vaccinated are urged to monitor themselves for symptoms, which typically begin with fever, a runny nose, persistent cough, and red or watery eyes, followed by a rash. In serious cases, measles can cause pneumonia, brain infection, and death.
Health officials are encouraging anyone who believes they may have been exposed to contact a physician promptly. Those who are unsure of their vaccination status should also consult a healthcare provider.
Vaccination Rates a Concern in Idaho
The warning carries added weight given Idaho’s vaccination landscape. The state ranks last in the country for the share of kindergartners documented to have received the measles vaccine — a troubling distinction as measles outbreaks are being recorded across many nations and in parts of the United States, including popular tourist destinations.
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is considered highly effective at preventing infection. The standard schedule calls for a first dose between 12 and 15 months of age and a second dose between ages 4 and 6. Infants younger than 12 months are generally not recommended for the vaccine, though those between 6 and 11 months old are advised to receive a dose prior to international travel.
What Comes Next
Health and Welfare officials are urging all Idahoans — particularly those planning to fly — to speak with a doctor about their vaccination status before traveling. Residents who were at the Boise Airport before 7:40 a.m. on March 29 and have not been vaccinated should watch closely for symptoms in the days following potential exposure and seek medical attention if any appear.
For more information on the MMR vaccine schedule or to find vaccination resources in Ada County, residents can visit the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare website or contact their local public health district.