The Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued an advisory on Wednesday, Dec. 24, after confirming that a man who flew into Boston Logan International Airport earlier this month was diagnosed for measles, a highly contagious and sometimes fatal illness.
The man spent time in Boston and Westborough, Massachusetts, "and was present in a number of locations," the Massachusetts DPH said. "This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus."
He arrived at Logan at 2:39 p.m. Dec. 11 on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and left the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas, Nevada, the Massachusetts DPH said.
The DPH said it is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from the man.
“Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease,” Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein said in a press release.
“This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade – nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths," Goldstein said.
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever – they are safe, effective, and lifesaving," Goldstein said.
What is the measles vaccination rate in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island also has a high rate of vaccination, one of the highest rates in the country, according to the Rhode Island Department of Health.
"The best way to protect against measles is with the measles, mumps, and rubella that the best way to protect against measles is with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. MMR is safe and effective, and 97% of people who have had both doses of MMR are protected against measles," said Annemarie Beardsworth, a spokeswoman for the Rhode Island Department of Health.
"Rhode Island has a very good MMR vaccination rate. Fortunately, approximately 97% of Rhode Island kindergarteners have completed the MMR series," Beardsworth said.
Still, in January, Rhode Island reported its first confirmed measles case since 2013. It was a young, unvaccinated child with a recent history of international travel who was hospitalized at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, the health department said previously. The child recovered and returned home.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said people who are not immune and who had visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles:
Those who could have been exposed and begin to develop symptoms of measles should call their health care provider before visiting an office, clinic or emergency department, since visiting a health care facility may put others at risk and should be avoided if possible, the Massachusetts DPH said.
Anyone who has had measles in the past or has received two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is unlikely to develop measles, even if exposed, according to the Massachusetts DPH.
The Massachusetts DPH shared the following information from the CDC: There have been three confirmed deaths in the United States from measles this year. As of Dec. 23, a total of 1,988 measles cases have been reported in 44 jurisdictions across the United States in 2025. The majority were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status (93%), 3% had one dose of the MMR vaccine, and 4% had two doses.
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