An unvaccinated individual infected with measles visited several locations in Boston last week triggering a public health response to identify and notify potentially exposed residents and travelers.
The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that the individual, who was in the city on June 7 and 8, spent time at “several places” including:
- Westin Boston Seaport District Hotel (including the restaurants in the hotel) between 5:30 p.m. on June 7 and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday June 8.
- The Museum of Fine Arts Boston between 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on June 8.
- Logan International Airport Terminal C between 5 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. on June 8.
After their visit, the individual departed at 9:12 p.m. from Logan International Airport on JetBlue flight 639 to Miami. Both local and state health agencies are now collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to trace and inform passengers on that flight.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that begins with flu-like symptoms, including a cough, high fever, runny nose and red, watery eyes, the BPHC wrote. People can then experience a red and blotchy rash that spreads from the face to the rest of the body.
The virus can spread to others from coughing, breathing or sneezing, the BPHC statement added. People can also become infected after touching surfaces or items contaminated with the virus within two hours after the infected person was in the area. The infection can occur anywhere from seven to 21 days after direct or indirect contact with another person infected with measles.
“This case of measles highlights the importance of obtaining the [Measles, Mumps and Rubella] vaccine to protect ourselves and our community,” Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, commissioner of public health for Boston, said in the statement. “The MMR vaccine is highly effective at preventing measles infection and also protects against mumps and rubella.”
Measles vaccination is 93% to 97% effective in preventing measles and protecting against severe disease, according to the BPHC.
In Suffolk County, 94% of children have been fully vaccinated against measles, according to state Department of Public Health data.
Children are recommended to receive their vaccine dose at 12 to 15 months of age and again before kindergarten to ensure strong immunity, according to Ojikutu. For infants at least 6 months old traveling internationally, an early dose is advised.
“It is never too late for children or adults to get the measles vaccine and for the vaccine to be effective,” Ojikutu said in the release. “…even if they are past the age recommended by doctors.”
Health officials are urging those who do not know their measles immunization status to get vaccinated with at least one dose of the MMR vaccine.
As of June 12, 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there were a total of 1,197 confirmed measles cases reported by 35 jurisdictions, including Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.
Twelve percent of people infected with the measles were hospitalized and there have been three deaths, accoring to the CDC website.
Texas has more than 700 cases, the highest in the U.S. Massachusetts has no cases, according to the CDC.
