United States health officials issued a warning after a possible measles exposure at Newark Liberty International Airport.
The New Jersey Department of Health said an infectious passenger passed through the airport on December twelve.
The individual was present between seven in the morning and seven in the evening.
Authorities urged potentially exposed travellers to contact local health departments.
Residents were advised to monitor symptoms such as fever cough rash and red eyes.
The exposure coincides with a sharp rise in measles cases nationwide.
Federal data shows two thousand and twelve measles cases were confirmed in twenty twenty five.
This is the highest annual total recorded since nineteen ninety two.
Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in two thousand.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported two hundred twenty seven hospitalisations.
Three deaths were confirmed marking the first measles fatalities since twenty fifteen.
The CDC said ninety three percent of cases involved unvaccinated people or unknown vaccination status.
Western Texas recorded the largest outbreak this year.
Nearly eight hundred cases were reported in the region before the outbreak ended.
Two children died during the Texas outbreak according to state officials.
New Mexico confirmed an additional measles related death.
Kansas also experienced a separate outbreak earlier this year.
Massachusetts officials warned of exposure involving a traveller arriving from Dallas.
South Carolina confirmed one hundred fifty nine cases since July.
Hundreds of residents there were placed under quarantine.
Utah health officials reported one hundred forty two measles cases.
Arizona confirmed one hundred ninety five cases statewide
State data showed ninety seven percent of Arizona cases involved unvaccinated individuals.
Public health experts linked the resurgence to falling vaccination rates.
A Stanford University study warned communities are increasingly vulnerable to outbreaks.
The United States is already on the precipice of disaster.
Mathew Kiang said.
Kiang warned measles could become endemic again if trends continue.
Experts also cited growing vaccine hesitancy following the Covid nineteen pandemic.
We have lost trust in vaccines that once protected entire communities.
Adam Ratner said.
Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr urged Americans to receive the MMR vaccine.
The most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine.
Robert F Kennedy Jr said.