LA County reports 5th measles case of 2026 tied to LAX arrival

Los Angeles County on Saturday confirmed its fifth measles case of 2026, linked to an international traveler who arrived at Tom Bradley International Airport and potentially exposed passengers at a terminal.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread rapidly in crowded settings such as airport terminals, where a single infected traveler can expose dozens of others within hours. Saturday's announcement marks LA County's fifth confirmed measles case this year.

The infected traveler arrived on Alaska Airlines flight 1354 and landed at Terminal B of Tom Bradley International Airport on Thursday, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. Anyone who was present at the terminal between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. that morning may have been exposed to the virus.

"In collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, passengers seated near the infected traveler will be notified by their respective local health departments," the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said. Healthcare facilities that may have treated the traveler are also directly notifying affected patients and staff.

The virus travels through the air and by direct contact with an infected person. Those exposed may develop symptoms between seven and 21 days after contact. Infected individuals remain contagious for roughly four days before the characteristic rash appears, which can make early identification difficult.

People who have previously had measles or who have been vaccinated are protected against the disease. Vaccination is the most effective prevention method available, according to the department.

The monitoring period for anyone potentially exposed at the terminal extends through June 4, 2026.

The county's monitoring period for potential exposures runs through June 4. Anyone who may have been at Terminal B during the exposure window is urged to watch for measles symptoms, which can appear between seven and 21 days after contact.