A recent international visitor to Colorado has been diagnosed with measles, marking the state’s first confirmed case since 2019. This raises concerns for potential exposure at Denver International Airport and Children’s Hospital Colorado.
According to Denver7, the infected individual, an adolescent whose vaccination status is unknown, arrived at DIA on December 13th and traveled to several counties before being placed in isolation on Monday.
Public health officials are identifying close contacts who may have been exposed at the airport (specifically Concourse A, bridge security, baggage claim, and passenger pick-up between 4:30 PM and 8:00 PM) or at Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Emergency Department in Aurora on Monday morning (8:30 AM to 11:00 AM).
Arapahoe County Public Health, along with state and local agencies, is contacting potential contacts to advise them on monitoring for symptoms.
According to the World Health Organization, symptoms of measles begin 10–14 days after exposure to the virus. A prominent rash is the most visible symptom.
Early symptoms usually last 4–7 days. They include:
- running nose
- fever over 101°F
- cough
- red and watery eyes
- small white spots inside the cheeks.
The rash begins about 7–18 days after exposure, usually on the face and upper neck. It spreads over about 3 days, eventually to the hands and feet. It usually lasts 5–6 days before fading.
