Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Warns of Possible Measles Exposure

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is alerting the public to a possible measles exposure that occurred at the Boise Airport on Sunday, March 29, 2026.

According to a press release issued on April 9, 2026, a person with measles traveled through the airport between 1:30 a.m. And 7:40 a.m. Local public health districts have notified Boise Airport officials and are in the process of contacting individuals who shared flights with the infected person.

Disease Transmission and Symptoms

Measles is described by health officials as a highly contagious respiratory virus that spreads through the air when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can remain active in the air for up to two hours after an infected individual has left a room or area, posing a risk to those who are not protected against the disease.

The early symptoms of the infection include fever, runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes, which are subsequently followed by a rash. While many individuals recover, the infection can lead to severe complications in some patients, including brain infection, pneumonia, and death.

Vaccination Guidelines

The MMR vaccine is the primary method for preventing measles. Health officials routinely recommend the vaccine for children between 12 and 15 months of age, with a second dose administered between 4 and 6 years of age.

Infants under 12 months are not routinely recommended for the vaccine and are not protected. However, for infants between 6 and 11 months who are planning international travel, a dose of the MMR vaccine is recommended. Families traveling to areas with large outbreaks or outside the United States are encouraged to consult a healthcare provider at least two weeks before departure.

Measles Trends in Idaho and the U.S.

The exposure at the Boise Airport comes amid a broader increase in measles cases across the United States. In 2024, cases began to rise, and by early 2025, the number of reported cases had already exceeded the total for 2024, with significant numbers reported in New Mexico and Texas.

Within Idaho, the state health agency has reported 23 cases of measles since August 2025. These cases have been identified in six counties: Bonner, Bonneville, Boundary, Canyon, Kootenai, and Madison. Data from the agency’s dashboard indicates that all 23 patients were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.

Regional data shows a significant spike in neighboring Utah. As of April 3, 2026, Utah reported 559 total people infected with measles, which represented the second-highest count of cases in the nation at that time.

Health officials note that while widespread vaccination previously eliminated measles in the U.S., international travelers continue to reintroduce the virus into mostly unvaccinated communities.

For more information regarding measles, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare directs the public to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/index.html.