A traveler who passed through Newark Liberty International Airport earlier this month tested positive for measles, one of the world’s most contagious viruses, officials confirmed.
According to the New Jersey Department of Health, the infected passenger was present in Terminals B and C on December 12. Health officials warned that measles symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, red watery eyes, and a rash that typically appears several days after symptoms begin, starting on the face and spreading downward.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can remain airborne for up to two hours after they leave an area. Officials advised anyone who may have been exposed to contact a healthcare provider before seeking in-person care.
The department said it is working with local health agencies on contact tracing and notifications. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated or have never had measles are considered at risk. There have been 11 confirmed measles cases in New Jersey this year.
Another case was reported at Boston Logan International Airport, where a traveler arriving from Texas on American Airlines Flight 2384 was diagnosed after landing on Christmas Eve, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
As of December 30, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 2,000 measles cases nationwide, marking the highest levels in decades following declining vaccination rates.