Vigilance Urged for Measles Imported Into U.S.

The boy was correctly diagnosed the following day based on laboratory tests and his presentation at a children's hospital emergency department with a 104° F fever and generalized rash.

Measles is a very contagious disease that can spread airborne and through physical contact. In fact, a 53-year-old woman who sat one row ahead of the Japanese boy on a Detroit-to-Baltimore flight prior to the event developed measles; she could not recall being immunized.

More than 90% of “susceptibles” will be infected, Dr. Baker said. Despite receiving two doses of MMR, 1% of vaccinated people can develop measles, as well as some persons born before 1957, she added. “Very few vaccines are 100%.”