In Massachusetts, the Department of Public Health has issued an alert due to a potential exposure to measles by an international visitor. On Saturday, June 22, a person traveled from Boston to Amsterdam using public transportation while being contagious with the disease.
The Department of Public Health has identified specific locations where people may have been exposed to measles. This includes the 11:40 a.m. Dartmouth Coach service in Hanover, NH, traveling to Boston and arriving at Logan Airport around 2:40 p.m. The person was also in Terminal E on flight KLM6016 from Boston to Amsterdam departing from Gate E5.
Additional confirmed areas of exposure were noted by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, including the Dartmouth College campus, Hanover Inn, Hanover Scoops and Lou’s Restaurant and Bakery in Hanover.
Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that spreads more easily than most other diseases. Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes before a body rash develops. Anyone exhibiting these symptoms should contact their doctor before visiting a medical facility.
Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD emphasized the importance of vaccination as the best way to protect against measles. Unvaccinated people are at greater risk of infection especially given the increase in cases and epidemics worldwide