NC residents could have been exposed to measles. Where, what to know

• Health officials are urging unvaccinated individuals to get the MMR vaccine for protection.
• North Carolina has had few measles cases in recent years, but cases are increasing nationally.
• Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air and can live on surfaces for up to two hours.

A person with a confirmed, infectious case of measles traveled through a North Carolina airport and could have transmitted it to others, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

A news release from the state agency informed the public of a confirmed measles case in a person who traveled through Terminal 2 of the Raleigh-Durham International Airport last week while infectious.

Additional information about the case will not be released in order to respect the infected person's privacy. According to N.C. DHHS and Wake County Public Health, which also contributed to the release, there is no known health risk at the airport.

Public health officials are recommending all unvaccinated individuals ages one year and older receive the measles vaccination to protect themselves and those around them. Measles vaccines are also recommended for infants 6-11 months who will be traveling to areas with measles outbreaks or internationally.

"Measles is a highly contagious disease and it spreads quickly in children and adults who are not vaccinated," said State Epidemiologist Zack Moore in the release. "All North Carolinians should ensure that they and their families are up to date on their MMR vaccine."

Here's what else to know about the case, measles in North Carolina and more.

Measles exposure in North Carolina: When did the person with measles travel through the Raleigh airport?

This person, who is a resident of another state, arrived at the terminal for an early morning flight on Dec. 10, 2025.

The individual reported by the NCDHHS was at Terminal 2 between 4-8 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Any person in the same area could have been exposed to measles, and should monitor for measles-like symptoms until Jan. 1. Passengers on flights with the infected person are being contacted individually by their local health departments.

If you develop symptoms, stay at home unless seeking medical care and call ahead before visiting medical professionals so exposing others can be prevented. Contact your local health department with any questions.

Is there measles in North Carolina?

Despite the case in a non-resident and the current outbreak in neighboring South Carolina, the most recent testing of North Carolina wastewater from over 35 sites found no measles particles. According to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, the Tar Heel State has had 35 measles cases in the past 20 years, including an outbreak in 2013 associated with 23 cases.

There were no reported measles cases between 2019-2023, one case in 2024, and a case of measles reported in an international traveler visiting the state in the summer of 2025.

How many people are vaccinated against measles in North Carolina?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 93.8% of N.C. kindergarteners were vaccinated against measles for the 2023-2024 school year. Vaccination coverage amongst all U.S. kindergarteners has decreased from 95.2% during the 2019-2020 school year to 92.7% in the 2024-2024 school year, leaving roughly 280,000 kindergartners at risk during the 2023–2024 school year.

Which states have the most measles cases?

According to CDC data, the following states are those with 20 or more cases of measles recorded in 2024 and 2025:

• Texas - 803
• Arizona - 182
• South Carolina - 142
• Utah - 122
• New Mexico - 100
• Kansas - 91
• Ohio - 39
• North Dakota - 36
• Wisconsin - 36
• Montana - 35
• Colorado - 35
• Michigan - 28
• Minnesota - 26
• California - 23
• New York - 21

Are measles cases increasing?

Year-over-year, the CDC recorded two weekly cases of measles in the U.S. on Nov. 24, 2024, versus 42 weekly cases as of Nov. 23, 2025. Vaccination rates have also continued to decrease in the U.S.

What are the symptoms of measles? What does a measles rash look like?

Symptoms of measles usually begin 7-14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure. Measles symptoms may include:

• High fever, which may spike to more than 104 degrees.
• Cough.
• Runny nose.
• Red, watery eyes.
• Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin.
• A rash that is red, raised and blotchy that usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin.

Is measles deadly?

Harvard Health explains that complications of measles are most common among children under the age of five, adults over the age of 20, pregnant women and people with impaired immune systems.

Measles is fatal in up to three of every 1,000 cases. In 2025, the CDC reported that three people died in the U.S. of measles among the 1,912 cases reported.

How does measles spread?

The state health department website states that the measles virus lives in the nose and throat. It spreads when someone who has measles talks, sneezes or coughs, releasing tiny droplets with the virus into the air. Droplets can stay in the air and contaminate surfaces for up to two hours.

How to protect yourself from measles, where to get a measles vaccine in NC

NCDHHS stated that 90% of individuals who are not vaccinated against measles will become infected when exposed to the virus. About one in five people who contract measles will be hospitalized. MMR vaccines remain the best way to protect yourself against measles.

To find a vaccine near you, visit the NCDHHS website, dph.ncdhhs.gov, vaccine locator.

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].