Measles Case Confirmed in Traveler Who Passed Through RDU Airport

A person infected with measles traveled through Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) last week, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). The agency announced the case Wednesday afternoon.

The individual, who resides outside of North Carolina, was present in Terminal 2 at RDU while contagious. Health officials from Wake County and the NCDHHS reported that the traveler was in the terminal awaiting an early morning flight on December 10.

Health officials advise that anyone who was in Terminal 2 between 4:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on December 10 could have been exposed to measles. NCDHHS recommends monitoring for measles symptoms until January 1. Local health departments are contacting passengers on flights taken by the infected individual.

According to health officials, there is no ongoing health risk at RDU.

State Epidemiologist Zack Moore emphasized the importance of vaccination, stating, "Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads quickly among unvaccinated children and adults. All North Carolinians should ensure their MMR vaccine is current for themselves and their families."

Public health experts urge all unvaccinated individuals aged one year and older to receive the measles vaccine for personal and community protection. Dr. David Wohl, an infectious diseases professor at UNC, noted that unvaccinated young children, pregnant women with insufficient vaccination, and older adults with waning immunity are particularly vulnerable.

The measles vaccine is also recommended for infants aged 6-11 months who are traveling internationally or to areas experiencing measles outbreaks.

The CDC reported 1,912 confirmed measles cases from 43 states as of December 9. This represents the highest number of cases in the U.S. since the widespread use of the second MMR vaccine dose in the early 1990s.

While no measles cases have been identified in North Carolina residents this year, a case was confirmed in June involving a child who traveled to NC from another country. Dr. Wohl anticipates future cases in North Carolina, stating, "My prediction is it's not if but when we get cases here in North Carolina, not just a traveler passing through, we're going to have cases here."

Measles spreads through airborne transmission via coughing and sneezing, and through contact with nasal or oral secretions from an infected person. The virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area. Measles symptoms typically appear 7-14 days after exposure, but can take up to 21 days to manifest. Symptoms include:

• High fever (potentially exceeding 104 degrees)
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Tiny white spots inside the cheeks, gums, and roof of the mouth (Koplik Spots), appearing 2-3 days after initial symptoms
• A red, raised, blotchy rash that usually begins on the face and spreads to the trunk, arms, and legs, appearing 3-5 days after initial symptoms

Measles can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia and encephalitis, particularly in young children. Globally, measles caused approximately 95,000 deaths in 2024, primarily among unvaccinated children aged five and under.

Wake County Public Health Director Rebecca Kaufman emphasized the effectiveness of vaccines, stating, "Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing serious illness and death. The MMR vaccine is effective, safe, and readily available, and we hope these outbreaks will encourage everyone who has not been vaccinated to contact their health care provider to make sure they are up to date."