Health officials have raised alarms regarding a possible outbreak of measles at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia after a passenger arriving on an international flight tested positive for the highly transmissible respiratory illness, which is currently prevalent in the United States.
Travelers present at the airport on June 8 are being cautioned about their potential exposure to the virus. The infected individual traveled through Concourse A, utilized airport transportation to reach the International Arrivals Building (IAB), and visited the baggage claim area between 10:30 AM and 1:00 PM. Additionally, the passenger used public transportation on the same day, taking the Washington Metro Silver Line train from the Dulles station to the Red Line, en route to Shady Grove station, between 11:30 AM and 2:30 PM.
Those concerned about exposure are advised to check their vaccination status against measles. As of 2025, Virginia has reported three cases of measles, one of which is linked to this traveler at Dulles Airport. This new instance arises amid a larger outbreak in Texas, where nearly 800 cases have been reported, resulting in two fatalities among unvaccinated children. Health experts are sounding the alarm about the increased risk of further outbreaks due to declining vaccination rates across the U.S.
Since the outbreak’s onset in late January, 744 cases have been confirmed in Texas, with 96 patients hospitalized. Nationally, 1,168 cases have been recorded across 34 states, alongside at least three deaths. Notably, measles is recognized as the world’s most contagious disease, with a 90% transmission rate among exposed individuals, though full vaccination offers approximately 97% protection.
Typical symptoms of measles include white spots inside the mouth, red spots on various body parts, ear infections, and high fever. Severe cases can lead to life-threatening pneumonia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes the importance of vaccination, recommending that children receive two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine: the first at 12-15 months and the second at 4-6 years. For babies traveling internationally, an early dose at 6-11 months is advised. Adults should also verify their immunity status. Statistics suggest a mortality rate of one to three per 1,000 measles infections.
A concerning 78% of studied counties have reported a decrease in MMR vaccination rates. Cold-like symptoms such as fever, cough, and nasal congestion often appear first in measles patients. The CDC has issued an updated advisory cautioning that individuals can contract measles during travel or at crowded venues unless fully vaccinated or previously infected.
The agency highlights that ‘Travelers can catch measles in many travel settings, including travel hubs like airports and train stations, on public transportation like airplanes and trains, at tourist attractions, and at large, crowded events.’
Officials recommend that all travelers ensure they are fully vaccinated against measles prior to international travel. The last significant measles outbreak in the U.S. occurred in 2019, with 1,274 reported cases for that year. Measles had been declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 due to a robust vaccination campaign, hailed by the CDC as a ‘historic public health achievement.’ However, a recent study indicates declining vaccine uptake in 80% of U.S. counties last year, contributing to the resurgence of measles, with an overall three percent decline in vaccination rates nationally. Currently, only 91% of children are vaccinated against measles, which falls short of the 95% threshold necessary for preventing outbreaks and associated deaths. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University warn that continued declines in vaccination rates could normalize measles as a common infection in the U.S.