Travelers through Los Angeles International Airport may have been exposed to measles

Cydney Henderson | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption LAX is the latest airport to roll out automated security lanes Los Angeles Airport's Tom Bradley International Terminal has opened its first automated screening lanes, which could mean passengers will be spending less time in security lines this holiday season.

Los Angeles International Airport travelers may have been exposed to measles after a passenger with a confirmed case of the viral infection traveled through the airport last week, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

The department released a Measles Exposure Advisory on Monday to warn passengers that "three non-resident measles cases … traveled through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) while infectious" on Dec. 11.

Those who were at Terminals 4 and 5 between 6:50 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on that day could be at risk of developing measles up to three weeks after exposure.

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"For those who are not protected, measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that initially causes fever, cough, red, watery eyes, and, finally, a rash," said Dr. Muntu Davis, a Los Angeles County health officer.

He continued: "Measles is spread by air and by direct contact even before you know have it. The MMR immunization is a very effective measure to protect yourself and to prevent the unintentional spread of this potentially serious infection to others."

#Press Release: Measles Exposure Advisory - A confirmed case of measles traveled through LAX. READ times and locations: https://t.co/iVrz8aAxuW for more info. pic.twitter.com/63urTZ8pbS — LA Public Health (@lapublichealth) December 16, 2019

The Department of Public Health advises those who may have been exposed to review their immunization records to determine whether or not they've been vaccinated against measles and to alert a doctor if they have not been, or if they're pregnant or have a weakened immune system, or if an infant may have been exposed.

If fever and/or an "unexplained rash" begin to develop, "stay at home and call a health care provider immediately," the department wrote in a press release.

This marks the 20th case of measles in Los Angeles this year. According to the Department of Public Health, "the majority of cases to date were unimmunized or did not know whether they had ever been immunized."

Contributing: Hannah Yasharoff

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