Air traveler from Europe brought measles to San Diego

SAN DIEGO -- County and federal health officials are investigating whether passengers were exposed to measles after an infected person traveled on a Southwest Airlines flight from Baltimore to San Diego.

San Diego County public health chief Wilma Wooten said Flight 3423 traveled on Feb. 22 and had a stopover in Denver, where passengers got off and on the plane. The illness was contracted in Europe.

The measles virus can live outside the body for up to two hours, and can be spread by coughing, sneezing or other close contact. Measles develop one to three weeks after exposure, and early symptoms include cough, runny nose and red eyes.