RDU Passenger Had Measles: Travelers Warned About Dec. 10 Exposure

A person infected with measles traveled through Terminal 2 of Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) last week, according to officials from the state and Wake County. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has stated that the individual is not a resident of North Carolina.

State Epidemiologist Zack Moore emphasized the contagious nature of measles, stating, "Measles is a highly contagious disease and it spreads quickly in children and adults who are not vaccinated. All North Carolinians should ensure that they and their families are up to date on their MMR vaccine."

The DHHS reports that the affected individual was present in the terminal during the early morning hours of December 10th. While the state indicates there is currently no known health risk at RDU as of Wednesday, health officials are advising precautions.

**Recommendations for the Public**

Public health leaders urge all unvaccinated individuals aged one year and older to receive the measles vaccination for personal and community protection. Infants between 6 and 11 months old traveling internationally or to areas experiencing measles outbreaks should also be vaccinated.

Anyone who was in Terminal 2 between 4:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on December 10th may have been exposed and should watch for measles symptoms until January 1, 2026. Anyone with concerns is urged to contact their local health department.

**Measles in the U.S.**

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 1,912 confirmed measles cases across 43 states as of December 9, 2025. This represents the highest number of cases in the U.S. since the widespread adoption of the second MMR vaccine dose in the early 1990s. While no measles cases have been identified in North Carolina residents in 2025, a confirmed case was identified in June involving a child visiting North Carolina from a country with recent measles outbreaks.

**About Measles**

Measles is a respiratory illness that spreads through airborne transmission via coughing and sneezing. Transmission can also occur through contact with nasal or oral secretions from an infected person. The virus can remain viable in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area. Symptoms typically manifest 7 to 14 days post-exposure but can appear as late as 21 days after exposure. These symptoms may 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 two to three days after initial symptoms
• A red, raised, blotchy rash, typically starting on the face and spreading to the trunk, arms, and legs within three to five days

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. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. vaccination efforts have reduced measles deaths by an estimated 88% since 2000, saving roughly 59 million lives.