Measles Cases in Top Airports Mark End of Year for MAHA
The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement has sparked concern as it appears to have inadvertently exposed Americans to measles, a disease once thought to be eradicated. In a surprising turn of events, two states' health departments have issued warnings about potential measles exposure at major airports.
The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDPH) and the Massachusetts Department of Health (DPH) have both reported cases of measles at their respective top airports. In December, a passenger with measles passed through Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, while an unvaccinated traveler from Texas with measles visited Boston's Logan International Airport on Christmas Eve.
The NJDPH's statement is particularly alarming, urging individuals who visited Terminal B and Terminal C between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on December 12 to consider themselves potentially exposed. Symptoms of measles can appear as late as January 2, 2026. The Massachusetts DPH warns that exposed individuals may experience symptoms up to 21 days after exposure, which would be January 14.
Massachusetts health officials advise exposed travelers to contact their healthcare providers if symptoms develop, as visiting a healthcare facility may pose risks to others. However, they also reassure residents that the risk of contracting measles is low due to the high vaccination rate in the state. The MMR vaccine is highly effective, with one dose offering 93% protection and two doses providing 97% protection against measles, according to the CDC.
Despite the success of vaccination in eradicating measles in the US in 2000, the MAHA movement, led by HHS Secretary and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been working to undermine vaccine protections. Kennedy's controversial statements, such as suggesting that herd immunity is more effective than vaccination, have raised concerns. He also baselessly claimed that the vaccine's effectiveness wanes over time and causes deaths annually.
The year 2025 saw a significant increase in measles cases, with 2,065 confirmed cases in the US, the highest number since 1992. Texas, in particular, experienced a major outbreak, with a low vaccination rate among its residents. The state's efforts to roll back vaccine standards in schools have further contributed to the rising measles cases.
In a concerning development, Florida removed the measles vaccine mandate for schoolchildren in September, with the state's surgeon general comparing vaccine mandates to slavery. These actions, along with Kennedy's skepticism, have created a challenging environment for public health, as the country grapples with the resurgence of a disease once thought to be under control.
