Measles cases confirmed at N.O. airport; health expert points to immunization decrease
By Rylee Curry
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SHREVEPORT, Louisiana (KTBS) — Louisiana health officials confirmed a new measles case in New Orleans on Monday, marking the state’s third case this year. While that number may not seem significant, neighboring states are seeing far higher activity — Texas has reported more than 700 cases, with 17 in Oklahoma and 8 in Arkansas. Since the start of the year 45 measles outbreaks have been counted in the U.S. Measles can spread through the air and is considered highly contagious, with potential complications that include hospitalization and, in severe cases, death. Dr. Joseph Bocchini with Willis-Knighton Children’s Health says today’s outbreaks are largely preventable. The age group hit hardest in 2025 has been children and teens ages 5 to 19, though Louisiana’s most recent case involved an adult. “We’re seeing more cases this year than we have in the last 30 years, primarily because people are not being immunized. The mortality of measles is very high — about one to two children in every thousand who contract measles will die,” he said. High-risk exposure sites include airports and airplanes.
“With the common circulation on an airplane, if anybody around that person was not immunized there is a reasonable chance they were exposed to the virus,” Bocchini said. Shreveport Regional Airport Director Larry Blackwell says they have not been notified of any cases connected to the facility. “During COVID, standards for custodial sanitary measures were increased greatly at that time and the airport has maintained those standards are exceed the standards over time,” Blackwell said. According to the CDC, the disease lingers in the air up to two hours after the infected person has left. Most common symptoms appear as a fever, rash, cough, runny nose and watery eyes. Experts say the best precaution to stay health is to ensure you are vaccinated with MMR and MMRV. If you don’t know your status, then ask a physician.
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