Measles case confirmed in DIA passenger who visited Littleton

A person with a confirmed case of the measles traveled through Denver International Airport and attended a church service in Littleton over the weekend while they were infectious, Colorado public health officials said Tuesday.

The passenger arrived in Denver at 9:15 a.m. Saturday on Frontier flight 1279 from Miami, which landed at gate A83, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said in a news release.

Anyone in the area between 9:15 a.m. and noon may have been exposed.

The traveler then attended a service and reception at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 6853 S. Prince St. in Littleton, between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday, and returned to DIA on Sunday night, where they departed on Frontier flight 1280 to Miami from gate A76 at 11:29 p.m.

Anyone at the airport between 9:30 p.m. Sunday and 1:30 a.m. Monday may have been exposed, the department said.

“Passengers who were potentially exposed on either of the flights will be notified directly by their state or local public health agency,” public health officials said. “Because the passenger is fully vaccinated, the risk of transmission is lower but still possible.”

Public health officials are providing free measles vaccinations to people who potentially were exposed at the church service starting Wednesday morning. Vaccination clinics will be at 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Arapahoe County Public Health Department, 8457 S. Broadway in Englewood; and from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Measles is a highly infectious but preventable disease with symptoms including fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, which are followed by a rash that starts several days later on the face and spreads.