Los Angeles County health officials are investigating a confirmed case of measles, a highly contagious disease, involving an individual who was infectious while traveling through Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) and a nearby Thrifty Rental Car Service location.
Public health officials identified potential exposure sites and times. Anyone at Hollywood Burbank Airport, specifically at Gate A4, on June 17 between 8:45 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. may have been exposed. Additionally, potential exposures occurred at the Thrifty Rental Car Service at 2627 N. Hollywood Way in Burbank on June 17 from 9:20 a.m. to 10:20 a.m., and on June 18 from 10:25 a.m. to 11:25 a.m.
Passengers seated near the infected traveler will be notified by their local health departments. Individuals who were present at the airport or the rental car facility during the specified times could develop measles symptoms between seven and 21 days after exposure.
Health officials stated that individuals who have previously had measles or received the recommended vaccine are likely protected. However, they are advised to monitor for symptoms. Those who remain symptom-free for more than 21 days after exposure are no longer considered at risk.
For those exposed at the airport or rental car facility on June 17, the final day to monitor for symptoms is July 8. For exposures at the rental car facility on June 18, the monitoring period extends through July 9.
This investigation is ongoing as health officials work to identify any additional exposure locations. Measles is transmitted through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for several hours after an infected person has left an area.
Symptoms of measles typically include a fever above 101 degrees Fahrenheit, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a rash that usually starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. This case marks the seventh measles case reported in Los Angeles County this year. The warning comes as summer travel peaks and crowds are expected in Los Angeles for events like World Cup matches, increasing public health concerns.