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Health officials have issued a measles alert involving JFK Airport in Queens after an infected child from China went through the air-traffic hub last week. 

The warning from officials in Montgomery County, Pa., said the unvaccinated kid arrived at JFK on a China Airlines flight Feb. 25, then boarded an overnight shuttle bus to North Philadelphia — and may have infected others.

The alert surfaced as the New York City Health Department reported there are now at least two measles cases in the Big Apple — and concerns mounted over outbreaks from Texas to New Jersey. 


  Passengers on the China Airlines Airport Shuttle Bus from February 25 to February 26th may have been exposed. Bloomberg via Getty Images Passengers on the China Airlines Airport Shuttle Bus from February 25 to February 26th may have been exposed. Bloomberg via Getty Images


According to the Pennsylvania alert, the child arrived at Kennedy’s Terminal 4 and boarded the shuttle, potentially infecting anyone at the terminal, on the bus or at the Pennsylvania clinics they were treated at.

The bus left JFK around 9:30 p.m. Feb. 25 and arrived at the Pho Ha Saigon restaurant at 757 Adams Ave. in Philly around 3:15 a.m. 

The child was then taken to True North Pediatrics Associates of Plymouth in Plymouth Meeting and the CHOP King of Prussia Campus Emergency Department in King of Prussia, which are both in Pennsylvania, the health alert said. 

“Additional details regarding possible exposure during and after air travel will be provided as soon as they are available,” the Montgomery County notice said.


  Health officials said the measles virus can remain in the air and on surfaces for up to 2 hours after an infected person leaves the area. Getty Images Health officials said the measles virus can remain in the air and on surfaces for up to 2 hours after an infected person leaves the area. Getty Images

“Identified individuals are in the process of being contacted and notified of potential exposure to measles and assessed for vaccination status and risk for infection.”

The measles virus can remain in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after contact with an infected person. 

Concern over the potentially fatal virus has spread across the US in recent weeks. 

Last week, an infected child died in Texas, one of at least 145 confirmed cases of the virus in the Lone Star State since late January. 

Cases have also been confirmed in at least eight other states, including New York and New Jersey, officials said. 

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