South Bay resident with measles visited SFO airport, San Jose locations
The Mercury News • • health
Key Points:
- A South Bay adult with measles, exposed during international travel, may have exposed others at San Francisco International Airport and two San Jose locations on June 8, prompting health officials to identify close contacts.
- The infectious individual visited the airport's International Terminal in the morning and Trader Joe’s and International Halal Market in the evening; people present during those times may develop symptoms 7 to 21 days after exposure.
- Health officials urge potentially exposed individuals to check immunization records, monitor symptoms, and contact healthcare providers, especially if pregnant, immunocompromised, or unvaccinated, while advising against attending large gatherings if infected or at risk.
- Measles is highly contagious, but the two-dose MMR vaccine is 97% effective and typically results in milder cases if vaccinated; the Bay Area benefits from strong community immunity due to high vaccination rates.
- Public health leaders emphasize the importance of vaccination to prevent outbreaks, particularly during times of travel and large events, reinforcing that two doses of MMR or MMRV vaccine remain the best protection against measles.