Philadelphia health officials confirmed a measles exposure at Philadelphia International Airport involving a traveler who never left the facility, arriving just days after a separate exposure event at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia neonatal intensive care unit amid an ongoing statewide outbreak.
Travelers passing through Philadelphia International Airport earlier this month faced potential exposure to measles, according to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. The incident occurred in Terminals B and F, alongside connecting areas in C, D, and E, on Sunday, Sept. 13, from 7:25 p.m. through Monday, Sept. 14, at 12:05 a.m.
Health authorities emphasized that the infected traveler stayed within the confines of the airport and did not leave the airport. Officials also stressed that this transportation hub incident is entirely separate from a prior exposure event reported at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is notifying travelers and others of a possible measles exposure that is unrelated to the recent measles exposures at CHOP. PHL said in a comment to CBS News Philadelphia that the Department of Public Health is handling the measles investigation.
Exposure at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia NICU
Days prior to the airport alert, the city health department reported a measles exposure inside the main building of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia at 3401 Civic Center Boulevard. City health officials say there was a possible measles exposure at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, including in the hospital’s NICU, or neonatal intensive care unit. According to a release from the city’s Department of Public Health, the possible exposure happened at CHOP’s main building at 3401 Civic Center Blvd. on Friday, Sept. 11, at various times and locations throughout the day.
Exposures at the pediatric facility were documented between 9:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. at NICU West, between 9:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. at NICU West Family Lounge, and between 9:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. at the CHOP Atrium. An additional exposure window occurred between 12:05 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. at the CHOP Main Cafeteria.
Officials said they’re working to give all infants in the NICU a preventative antibody treatment to help protect them from measles. Officials are working to make sure that all infants in CHOP’s NICU get a preventative antibody product
that will help prevent them from contracting measles and spreading it.
Broad Scale of Pennsylvania’s Measles Outbreak
The back-to-back Philadelphia exposures unfold against the backdrop of a widening public health crisis across the commonwealth. So far in 2026, the Department of Health has reported four measles-related deaths and confirmed 767 measles cases in 38 counties in Pennsylvania.
The best protection against the measles is to get fully vaccinated. Health officials said the MMR vaccine – which is administered over two doses – boosts a person’s immune system and provides 97% lifetime protection. Measles is a highly contagious virus that can be prevented in adults with a vaccine.
Given the ongoing outbreaks in Pennsylvania and other places, it is imperative that everyone who is not up to date on their MMR vaccine gets their vaccine,
health officials noted.
Health Commissioner Urges Immediate Vaccination Checks
Unvaccinated individuals or those unsure of their medical history who visited the airport or hospital zones during the specified hours are urged to contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible. The Health Department is encouraging people who were exposed to check their vaccination status and watch for symptoms, noting that some people may still be eligible for treatment after exposure that can prevent measles or reduce the severity of illness.
This week’s measles exposures are a reminder of how important it is for all of us to be up to date on our vaccinations,
Health Commissioner Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson said in a statement.
Every Philadelphian who is fully vaccinated has little to fear from the situation at CHOP and the airport,
said Health Commissioner Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson. Even more importantly, every one of those people is doing their part to help protect our most vulnerable from measles. With outbreaks continuing in Pennsylvania and other places, this is even more important.
Guidance for Exposed Travelers and Symptom Monitoring
Symptoms of measles include fever, runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash. For some who get measles, it could be serious and lead to pneumonia, brain infection, and death.
Anyone who develops symptoms should call ahead before visiting a healthcare facility and tell the provider about the possible measles exposure. Anyone who is not immune, is unsure of their vaccination status, is an infant, is pregnant and not immune, or is immunocompromised should contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible.