On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, the New Jersey Department of Health announced the state’s first confirmed case of measles this year. A child from Hudson County reportedly contracted the virus after traveling internationally.
Health officials are warning the public that two locations were exposed, and are urging anyone present at the locations to take precautions and monitor for symptoms. The two locations are as follows:
Terminal B at Newark International Airport, between 5:30 am and 9:00 am on April 14.
Pediatric Emergency Department at Hackensack University Medical Center, between 11:15 pm on April 17 and 3:15 am on April 18.
For those exposed, symptoms may develop as late as May 11, 2026. The most common symptoms include “high fever, cough, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a red rash around the hairline.” The New Jersey Department of Health has also stated that “the virus spreads easily through the air when someone coughs or sneezes and can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area.”
Anyone who suspects they may have contracted the disease is recommended to seek medical attention. However, it is important to notify your local healthcare provider, clinic, or hospital about your condition before you arrive to allow for proper protocols to be followed to limit the possibility of spreading to others.
Despite many thinking the virus has been eradicated in the US, as of April 16, 2026, the CDC has confirmed a total of 1,748 measles cases in the US. According to state data for the 2024/2025 school year, the kindergarten measles vaccination rate has dropped to 92.8%. Despite nationwide vaccination rates dropping in recent years, New Jersey has not seen any widespread outbreaks of measles. Health officials hope to increase public awareness that these vaccines not only protect against the virus itself but are also considered extremely effective at preventing complications caused by these highly contagious diseases.
As of Wednesday, April 22, 2026, no additional cases have been confirmed. But it is important for the public to take proactive measures if they believe they may have been exposed. Those who have received the two-dose MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine are considered protected, as are people born in or before 1957.
