December 30, 2025 – Health authorities are sounding the alarm after thousands of holiday travelers at one of America's busiest airports were potentially exposed to the world's most contagious disease: measles.
Urgent Measles Exposure Alert at Newark Liberty International Airport
The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has issued an urgent public health alert warning that a contagious non-New Jersey resident traveled through Newark Liberty International Airport (Terminals B and C) while infectious with measles – one of the peak holiday travel days.
Health officials state that the exact movements of the infected individual within the terminals are still under investigation, but anyone present between 7:00 AM (Terminal B) and 7:00 PM (Terminal C) on December 12, 2025, could have been exposed to this extremely infectious airborne virus.
Symptoms may appear as late as January 2, 2026. If you were there and unvaccinated, monitor yourself immediately!
Measles Symptoms & Dangerous Complications
Measles typically starts with:
- High fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Watery red eyes
- A characteristic rash (appears 3–5 days after initial symptoms, starting on the face and spreading downward)
In severe cases, measles can cause pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), miscarriage in pregnant women, premature birth, or low-birth-weight babies. 1 in 1,000 cases is fatal.
Alarming National Measles Surge in 2025
Measles – once eliminated in the US in 2000 – is back with a vengeance. As of December 23, 2025, the CDC reports 2,012 confirmed cases across 44 jurisdictions – the highest number since 1992. Three people have died this year.
Outbreaks exploded after a deadly outbreak in Texas earlier in 2025 among a largely unvaccinated religious community. States like South Carolina (142+ cases), Arizona (182 cases), and now New Jersey (11 cases in 2025) are heavily affected.
Experts warn that declining childhood vaccination rates are to blame. The US needs ~95% community immunity to stop measles, but many areas fall short. The MMR vaccine is 97% effective with two doses.
“We are seeing real consequences: preventable outbreaks, hospitalizations, and deaths from diseases that were previously well controlled.” – Dr. Renee Dua, medical advisor
What Should You Do If You Were Exposed?
Do NOT visit a doctor or ER without calling first – contact your local health department or healthcare provider immediately for guidance.
Stay up to date with the MMR vaccine. Check your status today – especially if you travel or have young children!
Sources: NJ Department of Health Official Alert, CDC Measles Cases Update, Daily Mail