In an attempt to prevent the spread of measles in the Dominican Republic, the Ministry of Public Health announced it has stepped up vigilance at Dominican airports, especially in regards to passengers arriving from New York. The New York governor’s office reports that as of 24 April 2019 there have been 390 confirmed cases of measles in Brooklyn and Queens since October 2018. Most of the cases have involved members of the Orthodox Jewish community. As reported, the initial child with measles was unvaccinated and acquired measles on a visit to Israel, where a large outbreak of the disease is occurring.
Dr. Rafael Tejada, director of services for the Ministry of Public Health at the Las Americas International Airport, said airport staff is implementing a special protocol to watch for the disease among arriving passengers.
Measles is spread through the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs. A person will be contagious four days before the rash appears and for four days after the rash appears. They are no longer contagious on the fifth day after the rash starts. Nevertheless, the virus remains active and contagious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours.
Delta, JetBlue and United Airlines fly to New York. American Airlines flies to Miami, with connecting flights to the Newark International Airport in the New York area.
25 April 2019