Source: NJ Dept. of Health
The New Jersey Department of Health is warning residents about a measles case in an individual who could have possibly exposed others to the infection while in Burlington and Camden counties. The individual developed symptoms after international travel.
The Department recommends that anyone who visited the locations listed below during the specified dates/times should contact a health provider immediately to discuss potential exposure and risk of developing the illness. If you have been exposed, you are at risk if you have not been vaccinated or have not had measles. Potentially exposed individuals, if infected, could develop symptoms as late as July 11.
Anyone who visited the following locations may have been exposed to measles:
LifeTime Mount Laurel, Mount Laurel
June 12 between 6 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.
June 13 between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m.
June 14 between 6 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
June 15 between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Cooper University Family & Community Medical Center, Camden
June 14 between 2:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Virtua Express Urgent Care, Moorestown
June 16 between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Virtua Marlton Hospital, Marlton
June 17 between 8:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
The Department is working with local health officials to identify and notify people who might have been exposed during the time the individual was infectious.
Measles symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, watery red eyes and a rash that usually appears between three and five days after symptoms begin. The rash usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline and spread downward to the neck, torso, arms, legs and feet. It can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain).
Measles infection in a pregnant woman can lead to miscarriage, premature birth or a low-birth-weight baby. Measles is easily spread through the air when someone coughs or sneezes. People can also get sick when they come in contact with mucus or saliva from an infected person.
If you develop symptoms of measles, the Department recommends that you call a health care provider before going to a medical office or emergency department. Special arrangements can be made for evaluation while also protecting other patients and medical staff from possible infection.
State epidemiologist. Dr. Christina Tan, says, “We urge everyone to check to make sure they and their family members are up-to-date on measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine and all other age-appropriate immunizations. Getting vaccinated not only protects you, it protects others around you who are too young to get the vaccine or can’t receive it for medical reasons.”
For more information about measles, contact your health care provider, or visit the NJ Dept. of Health measles Web page.