Airports Exposed To Measles: A Public Health Concern

In recent years, there have been several instances of measles exposure at airports. In 2019, five U.S. airports reported travellers with confirmed cases of measles, including Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Richmond International Airport, and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. More recently, in 2024, potential measles exposure was reported at Dulles International and Reagan National airports in Washington, D.C., as well as airports in Vancouver, Toronto, and Fredericton. These exposures highlight the importance of vaccination and public health measures to prevent the spread of highly infectious diseases like measles.

Chicago O'Hare International Airport

In December 2019, an individual with measles passed through Terminals 1 and 3 at Chicago O'Hare International Airport on separate days within the same week. This exposure was linked to a broader pattern, as health officials in five U.S. cities, including Chicago, confirmed travellers infected with measles passed through their airports.

Most recently, in November 2020, a 13-month-old baby diagnosed with measles travelled through Terminals 3 and 5, potentially exposing others during that time. Measles is highly contagious, and public health officials advised unvaccinated individuals who were in the specified terminals during those times to consult their healthcare providers and check their immunisation records.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can cause serious complications, especially in young children. It is easily spread through the air and by contact with mucus or saliva from infected individuals. To prevent the spread of measles, health authorities recommend vaccinations, with two doses of the measles vaccine being about 97% effective in preventing the disease.

Richmond International Airport, Virginia

In December 2019, a person with measles visited Richmond International Airport in Virginia, potentially exposing an unknown number of fellow passengers to the highly infectious disease. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) said that someone who had the disease was at the airport and at HealthVisionsMD in Midlothian. The exact date of the exposure at the airport was December 17, 2019.

The VDH advised that anyone who had been at the airport or the medical office in December 2019 may have been exposed to measles. They recommended that those who had received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine (either the measles, mumps, and rubella [MMR] vaccine or a measles-only vaccine available in other countries) were protected and did not need to take any further action. However, those who had received only one dose were advised that while their risk of infection was very low, they should contact their healthcare provider to discuss the possibility of getting a second vaccine dose to achieve complete immunity.

The VDH also warned that individuals who had never received a measles-containing vaccine or had not had a documented case of measles might be at risk of contracting the disease from this exposure. These individuals were urged to contact their healthcare provider or local health department for advice on possible interventions to reduce their risk of infection and to watch for symptoms.

Measles is a highly contagious illness that can easily spread through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. It is common in many parts of the world, including popular tourist destinations. The best way to prevent measles is by getting vaccinated, and the CDC and VDH recommend that all individuals, especially those travelling internationally, ensure they are up to date on their vaccinations.

Austin, Texas Bergstrom International Airport

In December 2019, five US airports were exposed to the measles virus, including Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Austin, Texas. An individual with a confirmed case of measles visited the United Airlines gate area at the airport on December 17.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, with the IATA code AUS, is one of the fastest-growing airports in the country. The airport experienced a rapid recovery from the pandemic, with more airline seat growth than any other airport between 2019 and 2022. The airport's transformation from a medium-hub airport to a large-hub airport has been well-documented in its Fly AUS Blog.

The airport's expansion and development program, Journey With AUS, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the operations of a critical infrastructure facility. It also provides information on career and business opportunities and the latest concessions and nonstop services.

The airport, which opened to the public on May 23, 1999, was built on the site of the former Bergstrom Air Force Base. The city of Austin hired John Almond, a renowned civil engineer, to lead the project, which had a budget of $585 million. Groundbreaking for the new airport began in November 1994, and construction on the airport's tallest primary building started in October 1995.

Dulles International Airport, Washington, D.C

In March 2025, a Howard County resident in Maryland was diagnosed with measles after returning from international travel. The highly contagious virus was detected in the resident, who had recently travelled internationally, arriving at Washington Dulles International Airport on 5 March. The potential exposure site included Terminal A, transportation to the main terminal, and the baggage claim area, all between 4 pm and 9 pm that day.

Virginia health officials confirmed a case of measles at the airport, with the Virginia Department of Health saying it received a confirmed case of measles, noting that a traveller coming off an international flight may have exposed other travellers to the highly contagious virus. The Maryland case is not related to the measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico, where public health officials have reported more than 200 cases and two deaths.

Measles is highly contagious, and according to the CDC, "if one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected". The early symptoms of measles include a fever of more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit, a runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes. Within one to four days, a red rash will appear on an infected person's face and body. The virus can cause serious health complications such as pneumonia, inflammation of the brain, or even death.

The CDC recommends that individuals who have been exposed and are not vaccinated get in touch with their healthcare provider, watch for symptoms, and isolate themselves from others if symptoms develop. Those who are most at risk of complications from measles infection are pregnant women, infants less than one year old, and those who are immunocompromised.

Reagan National Airport, Washington, D.C

In March 2025, two measles-infected passengers arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport's main terminal. They also visited the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, which is about 25 miles away from Dulles International Airport, on March 14, between 12 pm and 2.30 pm. However, they did not board a flight and only went to the shuttle bus terminal.

The Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, formerly known as the Washington National Airport, is a public airport in Arlington County, Virginia, United States. It is approximately five miles from Washington, D.C., and is the closest airport to the nation's capital. The airport is one of two in the Washington metropolitan area operated by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), the other being Dulles International Airport.

The airport opened in 1941, and its original terminal is still in use as Terminal 1. A second, larger terminal, Terminal 2, opened in 1997. In 1998, the airport was renamed in honour of the 40th president of the United States, Ronald Reagan, who served from 1981 to 1989.

As measles is highly infectious, with infected droplets remaining in the air for at least two hours after a patient has passed, those who may have come into contact with the infected individuals are advised to monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days from the date of exposure. The initial symptoms of measles are similar to a cold, including a fever, cough, and a runny or blocked nose.

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