Travelers with measles have visited Newark airport may have exposed others

A resident outside the state recently traveled in and outside Newark Liberty International Airport when he was infected with the measles virus, health officials said.

The person was at terminal C of the airport on July 29 from 5.30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and terminal A on July 30 between 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., the state health department said in a statement.

The health service warns that anyone who has visited these locations on the same date and at the same time may have been exposed to the virus.

Managers urge anyone who believes that they are infected to call the state health service or a health care provider before running for a medical office or an emergency room.

Symptoms of the virus include high fever, cough, flowing nose, aqueous red eyes and rash that usually appears between three and five days after the symptoms start. If someone was exposed, the symptoms could appear as late as on August 20, the health service said.

People at risk include those who have not been fully vaccinated or who have not had measles in the past.

New Jersey has reportedly reported seven cases of measles among residents in 2025, three of whom were part of a household epidemic in February.

Measles is a very contagious virus easily distributed by an infected person speaking, coughing or sneezing.

In serious cases, infected people can develop pneumonia and encephalitis. Pregnant women can make a miscarriage or deliver a low birth weight baby, said the health service.

People with measles are contagious from four days before the eruption appeared through four days after the eruption visible.

The virus spreads easily in the air when someone coughs or sneezes and can stay in the air up to two hours after a infected person left the area, the officials warned. People can also fall ill when they come into contact with mucus or saliva of an infected person.