Anyone who passed through Los Angeles International Airport late Friday afternoon might have gotten more than jet lag. County health officials say a traveler with measles was infectious while moving through LAX and a rental-car shuttle, and they are warning recent fliers to keep a close eye on their health through July 24.
According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the traveler arrived on British Airways Flight 281 and was contagious while in the county. People who were at Gate 155 in the Tom Bradley International Terminal between about 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., or on a Hertz shuttle from roughly 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., may have been exposed.
Passengers who sat near the infected traveler on the international flight will be contacted directly, in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to MyNewsLA.
Where and When Exposures Happened
Health officials identified two public exposure sites for last Friday: Gate 155 in Terminal B and a Hertz rental-car shuttle. They also flagged a separate potential exposure at a healthcare facility, where patients and staff are being notified directly.
“The MMR vaccine is the safest and most reliable way to prevent measles and protect yourself, your family and your community,” County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis said in a statement carried in the county advisory, as reported by MyNewsLA.
Symptoms, Timing and What To Do
Measles typically starts like a bad cold, with fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that spreads across the body. Symptoms usually show up seven to 21 days after exposure, which is why officials want anyone who was at those locations during the listed times to monitor themselves through July 24.
The county is urging people who may have been exposed to check their vaccination records and to call their healthcare provider before walking into a clinic or emergency room, so staff can put infection-control measures in place. For detailed guidance on post-exposure vaccination, testing and reporting, officials are directing residents to the measles information page from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Why Officials Are Sounding the Alarm
Public-health authorities say this is part of a bigger national problem. The CDC reported 2,170 confirmed measles cases in the United States as of July 2, 2026, a significant uptick compared with recent years.
Locally, Los Angeles County has logged multiple travel-linked cases and public exposure events in recent weeks, issuing a string of advisories for airport gates, shuttles and rental-car counters while investigations continue, according to Los Angeles County.
If you were at Gate 155 or on the Hertz shuttle during the listed times and do not have documented immunity, officials say you should confirm your vaccination status and contact your healthcare provider about possible post-exposure prophylaxis.
To report a suspected case or get questions answered, call the Vaccine Preventable Disease Control Program at (213) 351-7800 on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or the county operator at (213) 974-1234 after hours. Clinic locations and additional resources are available from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
