A professor at the University of Massachusetts Boston has symptoms of the airborne disease, the Boston Public Health Commission reported Tuesday.

The commission did not identify the professor but said he is in his 40s and has about 45 students. In a statement, the commission added, "The Commission's Infectious Disease Bureau has asked that students, faculty, and staff who have been exposed to the faculty member and who do not have proof of immunity to measles to refrain from public activities until 21 days after their last exposure to the professor, or until measles is ruled out as a diagnosis."

A little more than a week ago, the city announced a worker at the French consulate in the Back Bay had the disease, then said two other people had suspected cases. Today, the commission said that "several suspected cases are now undergoing confirmatory laboratory tests."

The commission urges people who are unsure of their vaccination status to get a measles shot. Early symptoms include a high fever, runny nose, cough and red, watery eyes. A skin rash usually occurs two to four days later and begins on the face but soon spreads to other parts of the body. People who suspect they have measles should contact their health-care provider, the commission says.