Boston college student with measles may have exposed thousands to the virus

Boston college student with measles may have exposed thousands of airport travelers, shoppers and diners in the city to the virus, officials warn

  • An unidentified Northeastern University student was diagnosed with measles on Wednesday 
  • The student passed through Logan International Airport’s terminal E 
  • They also went to more than 10 Boston businesses and campus buildings and dormitories 
  • Boston health officials are warning residents to get vaccinated if they aren’t already 
  • More than 1,200 Americans were infected with measles last year, threatening the US’s measles elimination status  

A student from Northeastern University in Boston has measles, city health officials confirmed Thursday. 

The unidentified student has potentially exposed thousands to the virus after walking the campus, traveling to Logan International Airport and visiting at least 10 retailers cafes and restaurants between January 3 and 6. 

Officials are warning people on and off campus and those who passed through Logan International during those days to make sure they’ve been vaccinated, get the shot of not, and keep a watchful eye out for symptoms. 

Diagnosed on Wednesday, the student is among the first confirmed cases of measles in 2020, following the outbreak that sickened at least 1,282 Americans last year and threatened the US’s ‘elimination’ status for the highly-contagious infection. 

A Northeastern University student infected with measles passed through Boston’s Logan International Airport (pictured) and at least 10 businesses in the city (file) 

The student ostensibly arrived at Boston’s Logan International on January 3, where they were in Terminal E from 8:50pm until 11:30pm. 

Boston health officials have determined the infected person’s movements to be roughly as follows: 

  • Saturday, January 4, 1pm to 3:30pm: Blick Art Materials, 333 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston
  • Saturday, January 4, 2pm to 5pm: Tatte Bakery & Cafe at the Marino Center, 369 Huntington Avenue, Boston
  • Saturday, January 4 12:45pm to 3pm and 9pm to 11:15pm: Wollaston Market in the Marino Center, 369 Huntington Avenue, Boston
  • Sunday, January 5, 11:55am to 2;30pm: CVS, 231 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston
  • Monday, January 6, 7am to 9:30am: Rebecca’s Cafe at Churchill Hall, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston
  • Monday, January 6, 3:30pm to 7:30pm: AT&T Store, 699 Boylston St., Boston
  • Monday, January 6, 5:30pm to 8pm: UNIQLO, 341 Newbury St., Boston
  • Monday, January 6, 6pm to 8:30pm: Brandy Melville, 351 Newbury St., Boston
  • Monday, January 6, 6:30pm to 9pm: Amelia’s Taqueria, 1076 Boylston St., Boston

‘Measles is a dangerous disease and can cause serious complications, but it is preventable,’ said Boston Public Health Commissioner Dr Jennifer Lo. 

‘The best way for everyone to protect themselves is to get vaccinated. 

‘If you don’t know your immunity status, call your healthcare provider.’ 

Measles typically presents first with a fever, dry cough runny nose and sore throat. 

It’s identifiable by the splotchy red rash that usually sets in three to five days after the first symptoms set in.

The virus is highly contagious via droplets of saliva release into the air when someone with it sneezes or coughs. 

It can be contagious as early as four days before the rash appears.  

MMR vaccines provide protection against measles (as well as mumps and rubella) but as anti-vaccine sentiments have surged in the US, so have cases of the virus. 

It’s not usually a terribly serious or dangerous infection for adults, but immunocompromised people, elderly people, children under five and infants too young to be vaccinated are at risk of pneumonia and encephalitis, a dangerous brain-swelling condition.  

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