Most contagious virus detected in US: Measles case confirmed at Newark Airport; agencies issue warnings

A case of measles, one of the most infectious diseases, was detected at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey during peak holiday travel.

According to the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), the infected passenger was at terminals B and C on December 12.

The measles virus is highly contagious and can spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can remain airborne for up to two hours after the person leaves the area. “Measles symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a rash that usually appears between three and five days after symptoms begin,” the NJDOH said in its release.

“The rash usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline and spread downward to the neck, torso, arms, legs and feet.”




Health officials urged anyone who suspects exposure or develops symptoms to call their medical provider before visiting any clinic or hospital. “NJDOH is working in collaboration with local health officials on ongoing contact tracing and on efforts to notify people who might have been exposed and to identify additional exposures that may have occurred,” the department said.

It also noted that individuals most at risk include those who are not fully vaccinated or who have never had measles. So far this year, New Jersey has reported 11 confirmed cases of the disease.

Nationwide, measles cases are also on the rise. As of December 23, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had recorded 2,012 cases across the US.

A record 8.03 million travelers are expected to fly during the holiday season, according to AAA, heightening the potential for exposure in crowded airports and planes.

On Christmas Eve, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed that a visitor from Texas was diagnosed with measles. The traveler arrived at Boston Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth and was in terminal B, the agency said.

“The single best way to protect your children and yourself from measles is to be vaccinated,” said Connecticut’s DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD, as quoted by The New York Post. “One dose of measles vaccine is about 93% effective, while two doses are about 97% effective.”