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Measles case detected at SFO days before World Cup start
SFGATE • • general
Key Points:
- A person with measles traveled through multiple areas of San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on June 8, potentially exposing travelers to the highly contagious virus just days before the World Cup kickoff.
- The individual also visited two markets in San Jose that evening, raising concerns about further community exposure in Santa Clara County.
- Measles is extremely infectious and can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves; unvaccinated individuals exposed may still receive protection if vaccinated within 72 hours.
- Health officials urge anyone in the specified locations and times who is unvaccinated or has no history of measles to take precautions, as the virus can cause severe illness and hospitalization in about 20% of unvaccinated cases.
- Despite a high local vaccination rate, California has seen rising measles outbreaks this year, partly due to increased exposure from travelers, making monitoring during large events like the World Cup critical.
