Measles — once declared eliminated in the United States — is making a troubling comeback, with confirmed exposures reported at two major airports during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Health officials say the first exposure occurred December 12 at Newark Liberty International Airport, where a contagious traveler moved through Terminals B and C, according to the New Jersey Department of Health. A second case was confirmed December 24 at Boston Logan International Airport involving a passenger arriving on American Airlines Flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported.
Nationwide cases have now surpassed 2,000 for the first time in more than three decades, reaching 2,012 reported infections as of December 23, 2025, according to the CDC. That marks the highest total since 1992. The surge spans 44 states and jurisdictions, with 11% of patients requiring hospitalization. More than half of reported cases are in individuals under 19 years old, and an estimated 93% were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status.
Just 3% of infections occurred in people who received one dose of the MMR vaccine, while about 4% involved individuals who completed the recommended two-dose series. Officials say the U.S. has recorded 50 measles outbreaks this year, a dramatic jump from 16 the year prior, including a major ongoing outbreak in South Carolina, where at least 179 cases have been confirmed.
Measles is among the most contagious viruses on Earth and can linger in the air for hours. Health experts warn that unvaccinated individuals are at extremely high risk if exposed. Public health agencies are urging travelers to check their vaccination status, monitor for symptoms, and seek medical guidance immediately if they suspect exposure.
