NJ Transit Measles Exposure: What Riders Need to Know

Why this matters: Measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications. Staying informed and ensuring vaccination can protect you and your community.

The New Jersey Department of Health issued a warning after a Hudson County resident with measles traveled on NJ Transit and PATH trains while infectious. This occurred between August 13 and 15, affecting specific routes and stations.

The affected routes include:

Riders who used these routes during the specified times (primarily morning and evening commute hours) may have been exposed. Symptoms of measles, which include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a distinctive rash, can appear 10-14 days after exposure. Anyone suspecting exposure should contact their healthcare provider or local health department before seeking in-person medical care.

Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but cases have been increasing due to declining vaccination rates. As of 2025, there have been 1,378 cases in the U.S., the highest number since 1992, according to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. This resurgence underscores the importance of the MMR vaccine.

Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that starts as red spots on the face and spreads downwards.

Measles spreads through coughing, sneezing, or talking, releasing tiny droplets into the air. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area.

Contact your healthcare provider or local health department before going to a doctor's office or emergency room to minimize the risk of infecting others.

Ensure you have received both doses of the MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine is highly effective in preventing measles infection.

Do you think measles will continue to resurge? What steps can be taken to improve vaccination rates? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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