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New Jersey health officials have issued a public warning about a passenger infected with measles who traveled through Newark Liberty International Airport. The airport, which serves approximately 40,000 passengers per day, may have become the gateway for further spread of the world’s most infectious disease.
In March, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported just over 300 cases of measles and in 15 states. A month later, that number rose to 800 and a total of 29 states that had reported an infection. Today, the CDC reports there have been 1,024 confirmed measles cases in 31 states. That number does not include hundreds of people who are suspected to be infected with measles, but have gone untested or unreported. There were just 285 cases of measles reported by the CDC in all of 2024.
The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) issued an alert on Thursday for residents and travelers about an infected non-New Jersey resident that traveled through Terminal B at Newark Liberty International Airport on May 12 between 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Terminal B reportedly serves a mix of both domestic as well as international airlines.
“Individuals – especially parents, guardians, health care providers, and caregivers – are urged to be aware of the symptoms of this highly contagious virus and to stay up to date with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) shots,” the NJDOH wrote, adding, “Anyone who suspects an exposure or illness is urged to call a health care provider BEFORE going to a medical office or emergency department. Special arrangements can be made for evaluation while also protecting other patients and medical staff from possible infection. Please do not visit a medical facility without calling ahead.”
NorthJersey.com reports that this is at least the second time a measles-infected passenger has traveled through Newark Liberty International Airport this year. In late March, an infected visitor to New Jersey spent several hours at Terminal A.
The current measles outbreak, which began in Gaines County, Texas where the outbreak is the largest, has resulted in 13% of the cases resulting in hospitalization and three confirmed deaths. In 96% of the 1,024 confirmed cases of measles this year in the United States, the person’s vaccination status is either unvaccinated or unknown.