Traveler later diagnosed with measles passed through Salt Lake airport near Memorial Day

SALT LAKE CITY — A Canadian traveler with an undiagnosed case of measles reportedly flew into Salt Lake City from Canada right before Memorial Day.

Utah health officials said the passenger arrived in Salt Lake City, rented a car, and then drove to Idaho. They later developed symptoms in Idaho, where they were diagnosed. 

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They reportedly returned to Salt Lake City International Airport four days later. The traveler reportedly never left the airport terminals while in Utah.

As far as public officials know, the traveler did not interact with the public at large while in Utah. “The exposures of concern were all in Idaho,” health officials said in a statement.

“That same individual came back to Salt Lake. Again, didn’t make any stops but did get on board an airplane while symptomatic,” Summit County Public Health Nursing Director Derek Moss said.

The traveler was cleared to fly out of Salt Lake City because they were past the infectious period, health officials said.

Utah health officials said they have been in contact with passengers on the flight. As of Tuesday afternoon, according to health officials, none of them had developed the measles.

The incubation period for measles can range from one to three weeks. The characteristic rash appears two to four days after symptoms become apparent.

The Centers for Disease Control said the symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes.

No public warning issued

Health officials said no public warning was issued because the risk that this traveler may have infected somebody else was low.

“They determined at this point it was low risk and they didn’t want to cause chaos,” Moss said. “That was the rationale.”

According to Moss, the traveler had been vaccinated. One of their doses wasn’t a type that is approved by U.S. officials.

However, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement that “a dose of any MMR vaccine significantly decreases the risk of this individual spreading measles.”

Check your measles records

While health department officials stressed that the public was not at risk due to this traveler, they also urged anybody who is concerned to check their measles records.

In Utah, you can do this by asking your doctor to access the Utah Statewide Immunization Information System. Alternatively, you can contact the Utah Immunization Program yourself.

If you don’t have records or cannot access them, you can request that your doctor test your blood for measles antibodies.

Simone Seikaly contributed to this report.