At the height of holiday travel, officials detected one of the world’s most highly contagious diseases at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey — a discovery that quickly raised alarms.
Health officials say a passenger who traveled through Terminals B and C on Dec. 12 was later confirmed to have measles, according to a New Jersey Department of Health press release.
“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 release says.
“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.”
The airborne virus spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes — making close contact especially risky.
Even after an infected person leaves, measles can linger in the air for up to two hours — silently putting others at risk.
Health officials urge anyone who believes they may have been exposed or is feeling sick to call their healthcare provider before going to a 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,” says the release.
According to the New Jersey Department of Health, those most at risk are people who aren’t fully vaccinated or have never had measles before.
Measles has reached Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, triggering fresh concern among travelers and health officials alike. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post
So far this year, New Jersey has recorded 11 confirmed measles cases, according to the state Department of Health.
A record-breaking 8.03 million travelers are expected to take to the skies across the U.S. this holiday season, according to AAA.
On Christmas Eve, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed that a visitor from Texas had been diagnosed with measles.
According to a DPH press release, the traveler arrived at Boston Logan International Airport on American Airlines Flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth and spent time in Terminal B.
The New Jersey Department of Health confirmed that a passenger at Terminals B and C contracted measles, bringing the state’s total to 11 confirmed cases so far this year. REUTERS
As of Dec. 23, the CDC reports 2,012 confirmed measles cases across the U.S. this year.
"The single best way to protect your children and yourself from measles is to be vaccinated," wrote Connecticut DPH Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani in a statement, as recently reported by Fox News Digital.
“One dose of measles vaccine is about 93% effective, while two doses are about 97% effective.”
