Los Angeles County health officials said today they are investigating a case of measles involving a resident who recently traveled from Texas.
The person was not believed to have been infectious at the time of travel, according to the county Department of Public Health. The agency is working to identify people who may have been exposed upon the person’s return.
It was unclear where in Texas the patient traveled. A measles outbreak in West Texas has now infected nearly 650 people. Los Angeles County health officials were working with the Texas Department of Health Services on the investigation.
“Measles is a serious respiratory disease that spreads easily through the air and on surfaces, particularly among people who are not already protected from it,” Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County health officer, said in a statement. “A person can spread the illness to others before they have symptoms, and it can take seven to 21 days for symptoms to show up after exposure.
“Measles can lead to severe disease in young children and vulnerable adults. The best way to protect yourself and your family from infection is with the highly effective measle vaccine.”
Symptoms of measles can include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and fatigue. A red rash usually appears one to four days after symptoms begin, starting at the head and then spreading to the lower body. There is no cure or treatment.