KDHE announces possible measles exposure at Wichita airport
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment notified the public Saturday about the potential for measles exposure on May 2 at Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita.
The exposure risk is limited to people who were at the airport between 6:15 and 9 p.m. on Friday, May 2, according to a KDHE news release. The agency urged anyone at the airport at that time to take the following steps:
• Understand if you are susceptible. People who have not had the MMR vaccine or contracted measles in the past are especially vulnerable, the release states, but adds that people born before 1957 or who had measles in the past or have received at least one dose of the MMR vaccine are considered immune.
• Watch out for symptoms — especially fever or unexplained skin rash — for 21 days after exposure. Contact a health care provider if symptoms develop.
• If you are not immune, avoid large gatherings or susceptible people.
For questions, the KDHE Epidemiology Hotline can be reached by phone at 877-427-7317 (option 5) or by email at kdhe.epihotline@ks.gov. Information about measles, vaccine records and common questions can be found at www.kdhe.ks.gov/measles.