CDC Issues Urgent Warning to Travelers
As the busy summer travel season ramps up, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an urgent advisory warning Americans about the rising risk of measles exposure during international travel.
The highly contagious virus, which spreads easily through the air, is making a global comeback. Infected travelers are bringing measles into airports and onto airplanes, raising public health concerns.
The CDC updated its Measles Global Travel Health Notice on May 27, expanding its guidance recommending that travelers be vaccinated against Measles for any international travel, not just countries with known outbreaks. "From January 1 to May 26, 2025, CDC received 62 reports of travelers who were infectious with measles while traveling on an airplane," a CDC spokesperson told SmarterTravel.
The CDC strongly urges all travelers to verify their measles vaccination status before leaving the country. Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations are highly effective, with two doses providing approximately 97% protection against infection.
The CDC’s warning reflects growing concerns about the ease with which measles can spread in shared airspace and crowded public areas. Recent incidents, including an outbreak in May that was linked to a Turkish Airlines flight to Denver, have raised alarms.
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has passed through a space. If someone with an active measles infection was sitting at your airport gate before your flight, the virus could still be present when you arrive. According to the CDC, “If one person has measles, 9 out of 10 people around that person will also become infected if they are not protected.”
Common symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and a characteristic rash. However, measles can also lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death, especially in young children and individuals with weakened immune systems. Adding to the risk, people with measles can be contagious up to four days before the rash appears, meaning they may be spreading the virus before they even realize they’re sick. The best defense against measles is vaccination, and the CDC recommends being fully vaccinated against measles at least two weeks before you depart for international travel.