Las Vegas, NV – A confirmed case of measles in a visitor to Clark County has prompted health officials to alert the public, particularly those who may have been at Harry Reid International Airport on October 13th. Dr. Marc Kahn, Professor and Chief of Hematology at UNLV’s Department of Internal Medicine, is explaining how to recognize potential symptoms and protect against infection.
the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) reports the infected individual, traveling from out of state, was at the airport’s Terminal 3, near the E Gates, around 8 a.m. on October 13th. No other locations outside the airport were visited.
Measles is highly contagious and can remain airborne for up to two hours after an infected person departs. Symptoms typically develop within 7 to 21 days of exposure, and anyone perhaps exposed is advised to monitor their health and contact a healthcare provider if symptoms appear.
The case arrives amid a concerning national trend: NBC News reports that 77% of counties and jurisdictions across the United States are experiencing declines in childhood vaccination rates. This makes outbreaks more likely, particularly among unvaccinated individuals.
dr. Kahn recently joined ARC Las Vegas and Evan Schreiber to discuss the virus’s progression and preventative measures.The SNHD urges residents to ensure they are up-to-date on their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations to minimize risk.
