Newark Airport Warns Travelers Of Possible Measles Exposure After Infected Passenger Traveled Through

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has issued an urgent public health alert regarding potential measles exposure at Newark Liberty International Airport on December 19, 2025. According to CBS News, a non-New Jersey resident confirmed to be infected with measles traveled through the airport while contagious, potentially exposing countless travelers and staff to the highly contagious virus. The infected individual spent approximately 12 hours at the airport, moving between Terminals B and C from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Health officials have stated that specific details about the infected person’s movements throughout the airport during this timeframe are currently unavailable, complicating efforts to identify all potential exposure points. The health department is working diligently with local officials on contact tracing to notify individuals who might have been exposed, while urging anyone present at those terminals during the specified timeframe to monitor for symptoms.

Rising Measles Cases Raise Public Health Concerns

This potential exposure incident occurs amid rising measles cases both in New Jersey and nationwide. The NJDOH reports that New Jersey has confirmed 11 measles cases in 2025, up from 7 in 2024. The national picture appears even more alarming, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting 2,012 measles cases across 44 jurisdictions as of December 23, 2025.

Marca highlights that this figure represents the highest number of reported cases since 1992, eight years before the disease was officially eliminated in the United States in 2000. Public health officials attribute this troubling trend to declining vaccination rates in certain communities, increased international travel, and the virus’s extremely contagious nature.

Symptoms And Preventive Measures For Potential Exposure

Health officials are advising individuals who might have been exposed at Newark Airport to remain vigilant for measles symptoms through January 2, 2026. The NJDOH describes measles symptoms as including high fever, cough, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a distinctive rash that usually begins on the face at the hairline before spreading downward throughout the body. This rash typically appears between 3 and 5 days after the onset of initial symptoms.

Measles can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis (brain swelling), and poses significant risks to pregnant women, potentially causing miscarriage, premature birth, or low birth weight. Anyone who suspects exposure or experiences symptoms should call their healthcare provider or local health department before physically visiting any medical facility, allowing proper isolation precautions to be arranged to prevent further transmission.

Vaccination Remains Essential Protection Against Measles

The health department emphasizes that vaccination with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine remains the most effective protection against the disease. The MMR vaccine, administered in two doses, provides safe and reliable immunity against these highly contagious illnesses. Individuals at highest risk include those who are not fully vaccinated or have never had measles. The virus spreads easily through airborne transmission when an infected person coughs or sneezes, with particles remaining infectious in the air for up to two hours after the person has left the area.

NJDOH strongly recommends that all residents ensure they are up to date on routine vaccinations, particularly before international travel. For parents of infants between 6-11 months planning international travel, one dose of the MMR vaccine is recommended before departure, followed by the standard two-dose series after the child’s first birthday.

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