Colorado public health officials announced on Thursday that a second Arapahoe County resident has tested positive for measles after likely being exposed on a flight that landed at Denver International Airport.
This marks the state’s seventh measles case of the year, with the confirmed individual being a vaccinated adult who was a passenger on Turkish Airlines flight 201 from Istanbul, which arrived at DIA on May 13.
It was reported that another passenger on the same flight had measles and was present at the airport, a hotel shuttle, and a nearby Quality Inn and Suites on May 13 and 14, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Prior to this case, an Arapahoe County child under the age of 5 who was also on the flight had tested positive for measles.
Health officials are reaching out to passengers and crew members who were in close proximity to the infected individual, as well as all children who were seated on their parents’ laps.
Individuals who visited various locations in Denver, Aurora, Greenwood Village, and Evergreen last week and weekend are advised to monitor themselves for symptoms as they may have been exposed.
Known exposure locations:
- Casa Vallarta in Aurora on May 22 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Colorado Athletic Club Denver Tech Center in Greenwood Village on May 23 from 4 to 8 p.m.
- Country Fair Garden Center in Denver on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Golden Saigon Restaurant in Aurora on Saturday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
- Comfort Suites Golden West in Evergreen on Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. and overnight until Monday morning.
- Evergreen Wine and Liquor in Evergreen on Sunday from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Those who may have been exposed are urged to watch for symptoms for 21 days or until June 17. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that typically appears on the face and spreads.
While measles is highly contagious, it is preventable with the MMR vaccine. Health officials emphasize that vaccinated individuals exposed to the virus rarely contract the disease, with only about three out of 100 cases resulting in infection, typically with milder symptoms and lower contagion.
Colorado has reported a total of six other measles cases this year, the highest number since 1996, occurring in Pueblo, Denver, and Archuleta counties.
Free MMR vaccine clinics are being held by Colorado and Arapahoe County public health officials for those potentially exposed to measles. The clinics will take place on Friday at Altura Plaza in Aurora and on Saturday at Aurora Community Connection. Both locations are in Aurora.
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