Measles outbreak hits new 33-year high, CDC says
The measles outbreak has hit a new high, with more than 1,300 cases reported in 2025 so far. The last time infections were that high was in 1992.
State health officials are investigating whether a New Jersey resident spread measles on public transportation last week, including NJ Transit’s light rail and the PATH trains, officials said on Aug. 22.
The state Health Department said anyone who traveled on the following train lines and within the following stations may have been exposed by the person:
- NJ Transit Hudson-Bergen Light Rail trains, 8th Street, Bayonne to Hoboken on Aug. 13, 14, 15 between 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
- 8th Street Light Rail Station in Bayonne on Aug. 13, 14, 15 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
- PATH train from Newark to the World Trade Center on Aug. 13, 14, 15 between 9:15 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. and between 5:45 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
- Exchange Place Station PATH station, Jersey City on Aug. 13, 14, 15 between 9:15 a.m. and11:45 a.m. and between 5:45 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Symptoms include a high fever, cough, and a rash that usually appears three to five days after the onset of symptoms that begins as flat red spots on the face near the hairline and spread to the neck, torso, arms, legs, and feet.
The infectious person is a resident of Hudson County and acquired the virus after “close contact” with a non-NJ resident who was infected, health officials said. No other information was given about the resident.
This case is not associated with any of the six prior cases of measles in New Jersey this year, officials said. There have been no reported outbreaks − three or more linked cases − this year in New Jersey.
Some of New Jersey’s cases have prompted public alerts including infected persons on an Amtrak train, and at hospitals, urgent care centers, malls, a Shakira concert in May at MetLife Stadium and last month at Newark Liberty International Airport.
There have been almost 1,400 reported cases of measles in the U.S. this year, one of the largest amounts since the disease was considered eradicated in the U.S. a quarter century ago. Vaccinations have declined in recent years and infections have returned.
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