Health officials in Massachusetts and New Hampshire have issued warnings about potential measles exposure following an international visitor's journey from Boston to Amsterdam while infected with the virus. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has detailed the timeline and locations where exposure may have occurred, urging those present to take precautions.
The infected traveler was in public areas on June 22, posing a risk of exposure to others. Specific times and locations include the Dartmouth Coach bus line departure from Hanover, NH, to Logan Airport, Boston, MA, and Terminal E at Logan Airport between 2:40 p.m. and 8:40 p.m. The traveler boarded KLM Flight 6016 from Boston to Amsterdam, departing from Gate E5.
In addition to these locations, the traveler spent time in Hanover, New Hampshire, from June 20 to June 22, visiting Dartmouth College, Hanover Inn, Hanover Scoops, and Lou's Restaurant and Bakery. While there are no confirmed cases in New Hampshire, state health officials are advising caution for those who were in these areas during the specified times.
Robbie Goldstein, Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner, emphasized the contagious nature of measles, explaining that the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Early symptoms of measles, which appear 10 to 14 days after exposure, include fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes, followed by a rash that begins on the head and spreads downward.
"People who are not vaccinated are at greater risk of infection," Goldstein stated. "The best way for people to protect themselves from this disease is to make sure they are vaccinated."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children receive their first dose of the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine at 12-15 months, with a second dose before starting school. Adults should have at least one dose of the MMR vaccine, while high-risk groups, such as international travelers, healthcare workers, and college students, need two doses. Adults born in the U.S. before 1957 are generally considered immune to measles due to past exposures.
Health officials are urging those who suspect they have been exposed and exhibit symptoms to contact their healthcare provider before visiting any medical facility to avoid further spread of the virus.
New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the individual's presence in various locations in Hanover, emphasizing the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of measles. "Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that has seen an increase in cases and outbreaks worldwide," Goldstein reiterated.
Authorities have provided a detailed timeline of potential exposure sites:
- June 20-22: Dartmouth College campus, Hanover
- June 20-22: The Hanover Inn, 2 E Wheelock Street, Hanover
- June 20, 3 pm: Hanover Scoops, 57 S Main Street, Hanover
- June 20-22: Lou's Restaurant and Bakery, 30 S Main Street, Hanover (one meal on an unknown date and time)
People who were present at these locations during the specified times should monitor for symptoms and ensure their vaccinations are up to date. Additional information about measles and vaccination can be found on the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's website.
The CDC notes that measles is more easily spread than almost any other disease. The increase in global measles cases underscores the critical need for vaccination. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to prevent the resurgence of this highly contagious disease.
