Measles is ‘more contagious than COVID,’ warns chief medical officer
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Health
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Fly safely amid measles outbreak with these important travel tips
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Measles has been spreading across America, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported more than 220 cases nationwide as of March 7.

The uptick in cases began with an outbreak in Texas, where there have been 223 cases identified since late January (as of March 11).

A new case was confirmed in a Howard County, Maryland, resident last week after the individual traveled internationally through Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C.



Officials claimed that this case is not related to the Texas outbreak, warning travelers to be on the lookout for measles symptoms if they  around that same time.

Measles is highly contagious and is most threatening to unvaccinated individuals, Fox News' senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel previously told Fox News Digital.

> "The good news is, if you're immunized, you're unlikely to be affected."



When traveling in a confined space, such as an airplane, exposure becomes even more of a concern.

WebMD CMO Dr. John Whyte (not pictured) recommended that travelers wear masks, wash their hands and stay aware of their surroundings amid measles outbreaks.

"A lot of physicians \ never seen measles," Whyte noted. "So, you have to sometimes prompt your doctor if you think you might have been exposed."

Measles symptoms typically begin with coughing and sneezing, and then lead to a red rash on the face and body several days later.

Whyte suggested receiving a measles titer, which is a blood test that measures antibody (immunity) levels against the disease.

This is especially important for people who are , where exposure risk may be higher, the doctor added. For those lacking immunity, MMR vaccine boosters are available.

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"I'd say if you're starting to see measles in your area, and you're concerned about whether or not you have immunity, go to your doctor and get your titers checked," he advised.

Otherwise, practice all those good hygiene methods that we talked about. Wash your hands. Wear a mask. Be aware of your surroundings. Clean surfaces.



Measles cases are mostly occurring in unvaccinated, school-aged children, the data shows.

For those who are feeling sick, Whyte encouraged staying home and abstaining from traveling to help .

Measles symptoms typically begin with coughing and sneezing, and then lead to a red rash on the face and body several days later.

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"A lot of physicians \ never seen measles," Whyte noted. "So, you have to sometimes prompt your doctor if you think you might have been exposed."

Measles can cause serious complications, the doctor warned, including brain swelling and pneumonia, particularly in .



The good news is, if you're immunized, you're unlikely to be affected, even if you come into contact with someone who does have measles, Whyte said.

"That's the whole beauty of immunization."

Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.
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