Hundreds of O'Hare Airport passengers might have been exposed to measles

CHICAGO (Fox 32 News) - Hundreds of people were potentially exposed to measles when a sick passenger traveled through Chicago O'Hare Airport.

The sick passenger arrived on an international flight on Jan. 10 at Terminal 5. The passenger departed on a domestic flight out of Terminal 1. Health officials say anyone in those two terminals between 6:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Jan. 10 may have been exposed to measles. The passenger might have traveled to other areas of the airport as well.

Measles is highly contagious and can be spread easily through the air when someone coughs or sneezes, but most Americans are vaccinated when they are children and are not at high risk.

If you are infected, symptoms might not appear until Jan. 31. Symptoms include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes.  Measles can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). People can also get sick when they come in contact with mucus or saliva from an infected person. 

Anyone who is concerned about their health should contact their doctor.