Cranford Business May Have Been Exposed To Measles: NJDOH

CRANFORD, NJ - Visitors and employees at a Cranford business may have been exposed to a confirmed base of measles, according to The New Jersey Department of Health.

The warning was issued to residents about a case of measles in a New York City resident who potentially exposed individuals in Union County on May 30.

Anyone who visited the AristaCare Health Services Corporate Office, 245 Birchwood Ave. in Cranford on May 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. may have been exposed to measles, officials said.

The Department recommended that anyone who visited the location listed above during the specified dates and times should contact a health provider immediately to discuss potential exposure and risk of developing the illness.

Officials said those who have been exposed are at risk if they have not been vaccinated or have not had measles.

Individuals potentially exposed on these dates, if infected, could develop symptoms as late as June 20, officials said.

Anyone who suspects an exposure is urged to call a health care provider before going to a medical office or emergency department as special arrangements can be made for evaluation while also protecting other patients and medical staff from possible infection.

Measles symptoms include:

• rash
• high fever
• cough
• runny nose
• red, watery eyes

Officials said 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.

"Two doses of measles vaccine are about 97 percent effective in preventing measles,” said Dr. Christina Tan, state epidemiologist.

Anyone who has not been vaccinated or has not had measles is at risk if they are exposed.

“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. If you’re planning an international trip, the World Health Organization recommends that adults or adolescents unsure of their immune status get a dose of measles vaccine before traveling,” Dr. Tan said.

A document with information on what to do if you’ve been exposed to measles is available here.

For more information about measles, contact your health care provider, or visit the New Jersey Department of Health website.

Thanks for reading! Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to russ.crespolini@patch.com

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter by clicking here. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading our Apple iOS app here, or by visiting the Google Play store for the Android app here.