Denver's Airport Became Measles Hot-Spot in May 2025

The Colorado Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Environment, along with El Paso County Public Health, have recently confirmed six measles cases that passed through Denver International Airport, which set an all-time passenger record in 2024, serving 82,358,744 passengers.

In May 2025, measles was confirmed in two unvaccinated residents of El Paso County. These adults are unrelated, but were at Denver around the same time on May 14, 2025.

Both individuals are recovering at home.

In addition, a third Colorado passenger on Turkish Airlines who arrived in Denver on May 13, 2025, has been confirmed positive for measles. The vaccinated adult from Arapahoe County is recovering at home. No public exposures have been identified in connection with this case.

According to a CDPH press release on June 1, 2025, this brings the total number of cases associated with an out-of-state traveler who flew while infectious to six: four passengers on the flight (three Colorado residents and one out-of-state resident) and two El Paso County residents who were at the airport during the exposure period.

Separately, the U.S. CDC published a Global Measles Outbreak Travel Health Advisory on May 28, 2025.

Measles is highly contagious and can sometimes lead to serious health problems, but it is a vaccine-preventable disease. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine provides strong protection and is generally available at health clinics and pharmacies in the U.S.