Health Warning on Possible Measles Exposure in St. Louis
Health officials from Missouri and Illinois are alerting the public about potential measles exposure at St. Louis Lambert International Airport and a church in Collinsville.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported that an individual infected with measles, who resides out of state, arrived at the airport via a domestic flight earlier this month.
According to a spokesperson, this person was present in Terminal 2 and the baggage claim area between 5 and 7 p.m. on February 7 and later used Parking Spot shuttle No. 3 to reach a nearby parking area.
People on the affected flight are being notified directly about the situation.
The St. Louis Health Department is collaborating with state officials to disseminate relevant information.
“Measles isn’t just a typical childhood illness; it’s highly contagious and can be serious,” said St. Louis Health Commissioner Victoria Anwuri in a statement. “Those showing symptoms should isolate themselves immediately and reach out to their healthcare provider.”
Anwuri emphasized the importance of contacting a provider before seeking medical care, so that necessary precautions can be taken.
Illinois Exposure
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced that the same person may have put people at risk at a Collinsville church.
Confirming details to St. Louis Public Radio, an IDPH spokesperson noted that this individual lives in the Metro East area.
Efforts are underway to pinpoint all locations the person may have visited while contagious. So far, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Collinsville has been identified, where attendees from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on February 8 may have been exposed.
The church has informed its members about the exposure, providing guidance on how to safeguard their health. As more locations are identified, local health departments will reach out directly to affected individuals.
“This marks the first reported measles case in Illinois in 2026, highlighting the necessity for residents to stay current with vaccinations,” stated Director Sameer Vohra. “IDPH advises healthcare providers to consider measles diagnoses in symptomatic patients and to report any suspected cases to the local health department promptly.”
Symptoms and Prevention
Officials are advising those who might have been exposed, particularly the unvaccinated, to monitor for measles symptoms for three weeks from the exposure date, likely until the end of February.
Initial symptoms of measles can include fever, cough, runny nose, and irritated eyes.
Characteristic flat, red spots of a measles rash generally appear near the hairline three to five days after symptoms begin, subsequently spreading across the body.
Measles can lead to severe health complications, including pneumonia and brain inflammation, and is particularly dangerous for children and those who are pregnant or immunocompromised.
Health officials recommend that the best way to prevent infection is by receiving two doses of the measles vaccine, typically given as the MMR vaccine during early childhood. Unvaccinated adults should consult their providers for a “catch-up” vaccination.
In the previous year, Missouri reported seven confirmed measles cases, none of which were found in the St. Louis region. Illinois documented 14 cases statewide in 2025.
