Why Newark Liberty Airport Keeps Appearing In Measles Exposure Alerts

Health officials and travelers are asking why Newark Liberty International Airport keeps appearing in public health alerts about measles exposure, as the highly contagious virus resurges across the United States.

Late last month, the New Jersey Department of Health warned that a traveler with measles, one of the world’s most infectious viruses,  passed through Newark’s Terminals B and C on Dec. 12 while infectious, potentially exposing individuals who were at the airport from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on that date. Officials urged anyone present during that window to monitor for symptoms and ensure they are up to date on the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

The department corrected earlier information about the exposure date and posted details on its measles webpage.

The alert came amid a historic U.S. measles surge in 2025, with more than 2,000 confirmed cases and 11 cases reported in New Jersey alone for the year.

Public health departments in other states have also reported measles exposures at major transportation hubs. In December, health officials in Colorado notified the public about a potential measles exposure at Denver International Airport. During the same holiday travel period, similar alerts were issued at Raleigh-Durham International and Boston Logan International airports, according to media reports and agency statements.

Health officials say Newark’s repeated appearance in exposure alerts does not indicate a unique problem at the airport. Instead, it reflects travel patterns, disease surveillance, and the highly contagious nature of measles.

“When a confirmed measles case involves travel through a major transportation hub such as Newark Liberty International Airport, the New Jersey Department of Health works closely with local health departments to conduct contact tracing, notify affected individuals or jurisdictions when possible, and monitor for any secondary spread of disease,” the department said in a statement to NJ Urban News.

Airport hubs like Newark serve tens of millions of domestic and international passengers each year. Because of that volume, they are more likely to be identified during exposure investigations. This is especially true during peak travel seasons, when infected individuals may pass through before symptoms are recognized.

“NJDOH also issues a public health advisory that identifies the specific locations, dates and time windows where exposure may have [occurred], and posts information on the Department’s measles webpage,” the statement said. “For high-suspicion or confirmed measles cases involving known public exposures, NJDOH will issue a press release and share social media to ensure broad public awareness.”

Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, meaning continuous domestic transmission had been stopped. However, declining vaccination rates and increased international travel have contributed to the virus’s return.

Health officials said most measles cases are first identified by clinicians.

“Measles must be immediately reported to local health departments, and most suspect measles reports are received from clinicians evaluating an ill individual,” NJDOH said. “Then, the local health department conducts a thorough public health case investigation.”

Because measles exposures often involve interstate travel, coordination frequently extends beyond New Jersey.

“Other states and territories notify NJDOH when a measles case has travelled through New Jersey while infectious or if New Jersey residents may have been exposed elsewhere,” the department said. “The potentially exposed, non-ill contacts are notified of the exposure by their local health department, provided guidance, and monitored through the end of a full incubation period.”

Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and the virus can remain infectious for up to two hours after the person has left an area. Symptoms typically include high fever, cough, runny nose, watery red eyes and a distinctive rash.

“Anyone who believes they may have been exposed or who develops symptoms consistent with measles should contact their local health department or health care provider before seeking in-person medical care,” NJDOH said, noting that calling ahead allows health care facilities to take appropriate infection-control precautions.

Vaccination remains the most effective protection against the virus.

“Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious illness or death, and vaccination offers the best protection,” the department said. NJDOH recommends children receive their first MMR dose between 12 and 15 months and a second dose between 4 and 6 years old, with early vaccination available for infants as young as 6 months who will be traveling internationally.

Newark’s recent alerts follow earlier warnings this year, including one in October that prompted local health officials to notify travelers who had been in Terminal B.

Public health experts say any airport can be the site of a measles exposure. However, alerts appear more frequently at major hubs like Newark. That visibility reflects high passenger volume, heightened disease surveillance, and a nationwide resurgence of the virus.

Officials continue to encourage travelers to check their vaccination status and seek medical guidance if they believe they may have been exposed.