On December 17, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and Wake County Public Health were alerted to a confirmed measles case involving an individual who passed through Terminal 2 of Raleigh-Durham International Airport while infectious. The traveler, a resident from another state, was at the terminal for an early morning flight on December 10. Currently, there is no health risk at the airport.
Health officials advise that unvaccinated individuals aged one year and older should receive the measles vaccine to protect themselves and others. The vaccine is also recommended for infants aged 6-11 months traveling internationally or to areas with active outbreaks. Those present in Terminal 2 between 4-8 a.m. on December 10 may have been exposed to measles. They are advised to monitor for symptoms until January 1 and contact local health departments with any concerns.
If symptoms appear, individuals should remain at home unless seeking medical care and call ahead before visiting healthcare facilities to prevent further exposure. Measles can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis, particularly in young children. In 2024, approximately 95,000 people died globally from measles, primarily unvaccinated children under five years old. Since 2000, vaccination efforts have reduced measles deaths by about 88%, saving nearly 59 million lives.
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