CDC steps up measles travel warning after spread in airplane Since the beginning of the year, CDC has received

[riversedge]

CDC steps up measles travel warning after spread in airplane

Since the beginning of the year, CDC has received at least 62 reports of travelers who were contagious with the highly transmissible virus while flying into the U.S. or within the country

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-measles-travel-warning-spread-in-airplane/

Paula Cohen May 30, 2025 / 1:22 PM EDT / CBS News




The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its warning about the risk of contracting measles while traveling, after the agency tallied dozens of cases so far this year in travelers who were infectious while flying on airplanes within the U.S.

"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," the agency now says, in an update published Wednesday.

Since the beginning of the year, the CDC has received at least 62 reports of travelers who were contagious with the highly transmissible virus while flying into the U.S. or within the country, a spokesperson for the health agency told CBS News in a statement.

After investigating 50 of those travelers, the CDC was able to determine that measles spread during air travel in at least one of those situations, the spokesperson said. That is usually based on connecting confirmed cases of measles among airline passengers sitting near each other.



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In addition to this year's record surge of the virus within the U.S., health authorities in neighboring Mexico and Canada have also reported large outbreaks of measles.

The CDC also replaced a previous recommendation that Americans "consider making alternative travel plans" if they could not get vaccinated before departing, and now says travelers should "consider postponing their trip."

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