Massachusetts Health Officials Warn of Possible Measles Exposure from Texas Traveler
BOSTON, Mass. — Health officials in Massachusetts issued a public alert on Wednesday after a traveler from Texas, diagnosed with measles, potentially exposed numerous individuals to the highly contagious airborne virus while visiting the state. The individual arrived at Boston Logan International Airport on December 11 on American Airlines Flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth and stayed overnight at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough before departing the next evening to Las Vegas.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) identified estimated exposure windows at Logan Airport Terminal B between 2:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. on December 11, and at the hotel from 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. that same day. Additional potential exposure occurred at Logan Airport Terminal C from 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on December 12. Although no confirmed measles cases have been reported in Massachusetts during 2025, officials are urging anyone who was present at these locations during those times to be vigilant for symptoms and verify their vaccination status.
“Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates,” said Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. “This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities.”
Dr. Goldstein emphasized that while Massachusetts has remained measles-free this year, the nation has faced the highest number of cases in over a decade, with nearly 2,000 reported across 44 jurisdictions in 2025, including three deaths. He noted that measles was declared eliminated in the United States 15 years ago, but recent declines in vaccination coverage threaten to reverse this progress.
The Massachusetts DPH is collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to notify individuals who may have been exposed. According to CDC data, approximately 93% of recent measles cases involved people who were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status, while an additional 3% had received only one dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Health officials recommend that individuals unsure of their vaccination history receive at least one dose of the MMR vaccine, which is about 97% effective after two doses. The vaccine remains one of the most effective public health tools to prevent measles outbreaks, especially protecting vulnerable populations such as young children and the elderly.
Massachusetts residents and travelers who may have been at the specified locations during the exposure windows are urged to monitor for symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, and the characteristic measles rash. Anyone experiencing symptoms should contact their healthcare provider promptly and inform them of the possible exposure.
For further information and guidance, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website (mass.gov/dph) and the CDC’s measles resource page (cdc.gov/measles) offer comprehensive updates. Travelers can also consult the Federal Aviation Administration for flight-related health advisories.
As measles continues to pose a public health challenge nationwide, officials stress the importance of vaccination and prompt reporting to contain potential outbreaks and protect community health.
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