Health authorities in New Jersey have issued an alert about potential measles exposure at Newark Liberty International Airport during the bustling holiday travel season. This warning comes after an individual, later confirmed to have measles, passed through the airport on December 12, according to an updated statement from the New Jersey Department of Health. Although the traveler is not from New Jersey, they spent time in Terminals B and C, though their precise movements remain unclear.
The advisory detailed the symptoms of measles, which include a significant fever, coughing, a runny nose, and watery red eyes. A distinctive rash typically follows these initial symptoms within three to five days, starting at the hairline before spreading across the face, down the neck, torso, and ultimately to the limbs.
Measles, an airborne virus, is noted for its high contagion rate, making it a public health concern. Health officials have advised anyone present at the affected terminals between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. to be vigilant for any signs of the disease. They emphasized that individuals who have not been vaccinated, along with infants and young children, are at an increased risk of severe illness.
The New Jersey Department of Health strongly recommends that all residents remain current with routine vaccinations, including the MMR vaccine. They also underscore the importance of ensuring full vaccination for those planning to travel internationally.
Health officials urged anyone who was in the same terminals between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. to be on the lookout for symptoms. They also warned that those who are not vaccinated face a significantly more serious risk, as do babies and young children.
“NJDOH encourages all residents to stay up to date on routine vaccinations, including MMR shots,” the statement said. “Anyone traveling internationally should be fully vaccinated before traveling.”
Potentially exposed individuals, if infected, could develop symptoms as late as January 2, 2026, according to health officials.
The possible exposure comes as measles cases nationwide hit their highest levels in decades, with 2,012 cases diagnosed in 2025 as of Dec. 23, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is the most cases on record since 1992, which was nearly a decade before measles was declared eradicated in the United States.
