A passenger on last Friday's Northwest Airlines flight 39 which
originated in Amsterdam, landed in Detroit Metropolitan Airport,
and proceeded on to Cedar Rapids, Iowa was diagnosed with the
measles. Dr. John Wycoff says the disease is so rare, he's never
even seen a case in the 16 years he's practiced medicine, but it
is extremely contagious and potentially fatal. "Measles can
cause life-threatening pneumonia, diarrhea, or infection of the
brain," said Dr. Wycoff. Most people have received an MMR
vaccination, which will protect them from the disease. Those not
vaccinated have a 90-percent chance of getting sick. Symptoms
include a runny nose, watery eyes, scratchy throat, cough, and
fever of 100 or more degrees, but probably the most
characteristic symptom is a fine, pink rash over most of the
body. "You can get an immuno-globulal injection as soon as
symptoms appear and is compatible with the disease," said Dr.
Wycoff. The approximately 200 passengers on board and anyone in
the terminals have been advised t