Hundreds of exposures possible from local measles case that traveled through busy regional airport

OHIO — More people could have been exposed to measles, but this time, it was at a busy airport.

As reported by Kayla McDermott on News Center 7 at 6:00, Public Health officials detail the potential and exposure and how the health department is working to track down those infected.

>>RELATED: Travelers may have been exposed to measles at CVG, health officials warn

On Monday, the Ohio Department of Health announced the potential for measles exposure at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

ODH said travelers in Terminal A may have been exposed to measles during the following times:

• January 27 between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.
• January 29 between 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.

According to ODH, the possible exposure is linked to the child in Montgomery County who was infected with measles.

The case was initially identified in a child who was evaluated at Dayton Children’s Hospital in the main campus Emergency Department on Jan. 29 and Jan. 31.

“During the time of exposure where the individual was being evaluated, there were 232 other children, they’re being evaluated as well,” Medical Director Becky Thomas, Public Health – Dayton and Montgomery County said.

>>RELATED: ‘Extremely contagious;’ Public Health warns community after confirmed measles case

There is a chance that many more people could have been exposed to the disease.

But the department isn’t sure how widespread the exposure could be, given that CVG offers flights to 50 different destinations.

“There is contact tracing also going on for individuals who were at the airport in the same terminal at that time,” Thomas said.

Public Health doesn’t know how many people could truly be infected, but with their contact tracing, they have found some good news.

“The good news is that most of the people that were there have been vaccinated,” Medical Director Becky Thomas, Public Health – Dayton and Montgomery County said.

A Riverside mom of two, Megan Tigner, said her family stays up to date on all the vaccinations.

>>RELATED: Measles case reported in Montgomery County

“It’s important because as a parent, you want to do what you can do to keep your kids as healthy as possible,” Tigner said.

With the recent exposures, Tigner said, “It’s probably the number of people who are unvaccinated nowadays.”

Thomas said the lack of vaccinations since the pandemic coupled with traveling, has created recent measles outbreaks in the country, when it was once considered to be eliminated nationwide in 2000.

“We have walk-in measles vaccinations available, and we’d be happy to provide those to anyone uncertain of their vaccination status or needs,” Thomas said.

News Center 7 reached out to the health department to see where the flight was coming from and how many others could be infected, but we have not received a response.

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