Cybersecurity conference attendees possibly exposed to IRL virus

They, perhaps more than any other gathered group of industry professionals, know how to defend against viruses. Just, maybe, not this kind. 

Hackers and cybersecurity researchers who attended this year’s annual Black Hat information security conference in Las Vegas found themselves on the receiving end of the wrong kind of security notification. On Thursday, the Southern Nevada Health District issued a warning stating that individuals in Vegas over the course of the conference may have been exposed to measles. 

Yes, as in literal measles. 

“The Southern Nevada Health District is informing individuals and the public who were at different locations listed below that they might have been exposed to a person who was confirmed to have a case of measles,” reads the statement. 

Those locations happen to include Lupo and Aureole — two restaurants inside Mandalay Bay — on Aug. 3 and Aug. 5, respectively. 

Black Hat ran from Aug. 3 through Aug. 8, and took place at Mandalay Bay. 

The CDC notes that measles can be deadly for children. 

“People who may have been exposed should also contact their health care providers if they develop a rash with fever or other symptoms consistent with measles within 21 days after their visit to these locations,” advises the Southern Nevada Health District. “It is recommended that anyone with symptoms contact a health care provider’s office before entering a health care facility to allow the facility to make appropriate arrangements to ensure the illness is not spread.”

It’s not clear if the Las Vegas visitor with the confirmed case of measles was in town for Black Hat or just happened to be seeing the great and wonderful sites of Vegas in early August. Regardless, the security professionals who worry about keeping your data safe now have a more immediate concern on their (hopefully not ordered at Lupo or Aureole) plates.