Health authorities in the United States have issued a stark warning after thousands of holiday travellers at a major international airport were potentially exposed to measles, the world's most infectious disease.
Airport Exposure and Contact Tracing Underway
The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) issued an alert concerning a confirmed case of measles in a non-resident who transited through Newark Liberty International Airport while infectious. The department stated that anyone present in the airport's Terminals B and C between 7am and 7pm on December 19 may have been at risk.
Officials noted that while the infected individual's precise movements are not fully known, contact tracing efforts are in progress. The NJDOH advised anyone who suspects exposure or infection to contact their local health department or GP before visiting in person, to prevent further spread in medical settings.
Potentially exposed individuals could develop symptoms as late as January 2, 2026, according to the health alert.
Symptoms and Serious Health Risks
Measles symptoms typically begin with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery red eyes. A distinctive rash usually follows three to five days after the initial symptoms appear.
The disease is far from a minor illness. It can lead to severe and sometimes fatal complications, including:
- Pneumonia
- Encephalitis (swelling of the brain)
- Miscarriage, premature birth, or low birth weight in pregnant women
Alarmingly, approximately three in every 1,000 people who contract measles will die from complications.
A Growing National Outbreak Linked to Falling Vaccination Rates
This airport incident occurs against a backdrop of a significant resurgence of measles across the United States. The CDC reported that as of December 23, measles has infected 2,012 Americans and caused three deaths this year. This marks the largest outbreak since 1992.
The current national surge was initially spurred by a deadly outbreak in Texas within a largely unvaccinated community. Other states are also grappling with cases:
- New Jersey has reported 11 cases in 2025.
- South Carolina has 142 cases, with over 250 people under quarantine.
- Arizona has seen cases leap from five in 2024 to 182 this year.
- Connecticut recently reported its first case since 2021.
Medical experts directly link these outbreaks to declining vaccination rates. Dr Renee Dua, a medical advisor, stated: "The current measles outbreaks in the US are a direct consequence of falling childhood vaccination rates." She emphasised that measles requires about 95% community immunity to prevent spread, a threshold many regions now fall below.
Nationwide, the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination rate stands at 92.5%, but rates in states like Utah and Arizona are as low as 89%. The CDC states the MMR vaccine is 97% effective with two doses.
Measles is exceptionally contagious; an unvaccinated person has a 90% chance of infection if exposed, even from sharing air in a space hours after an infected person has left. Health officials urge the public to check their vaccination status and consult with a healthcare provider if unsure.
