Measles case detected at Newark airport amid US surge

A traveler who passed through Newark Liberty International Airport earlier this month has tested positive for measles, prompting health authorities in New Jersey to issue exposure warnings and begin contact tracing, according to a report by the New York Post.

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) said the infected passenger was present at Terminals B and C on December 12. Measles, one of the most contagious viral diseases in the world, can remain airborne for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area, increasing the risk of transmission in busy public spaces such as airports.

Health officials warned that symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, watery or red eyes, and a rash that typically appears several days after initial symptoms. The rash often starts on the face near the hairline before spreading downward to the rest of the body.

The NJDOH said it is coordinating with local health officials to identify and notify individuals who may have been exposed. Authorities advised anyone who suspects exposure to contact their healthcare provider before visiting a clinic or hospital to avoid further spread.

Officials noted that individuals who are not fully vaccinated or who have never had measles are at higher risk of infection. While measles infection can result in long-term immunity, health authorities stress that the two-dose measles vaccine provides lifelong protection.

The case at Newark comes amid a broader resurgence of measles in the United States. The NJDOH reported 11 confirmed cases in New Jersey so far this year. Nationwide, thousands of cases have been recorded in 2025, a development public health experts have linked to declining vaccination rates after the US previously declared measles eliminated more than two decades ago.

The New York Post also reported that similar cases were detected at other major US airports during the holiday travel season, including Boston Logan International Airport, underscoring heightened concerns as millions of Americans traveled by air.