Second Measles Warning Issued For South Jersey

A second case of suspected measles has been reported in South Jersey, New Jersey Health Department officials announced. The person, who may have exposed residents in Camden and Burlington counties, may have contracted the disease while traveling overseas, officials said.

Anyone who visited the following locations may have been exposed to measles:

• Anjali Power Yoga, 130 Haddon Ave., Westmont, NJ 08108 on June 26 between 5:45 p.m. and 9:10 p.m.

• Virtua Marlton Hospital, 90 Brick Rd, Marlton, NJ, 08053 on June 27 between 6:40 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The health department is working with local health officials and Virtua to identify and notify people who might have been exposed during the time the individual was infectious. Anyone who visited those locations during those times is advised to contact a health provider to discuss potential exposure and risk of developing the illness.

Officials are telling residents not to go to the emergency department if they believe they have been exposed to the disease. Anyone who has symptoms should call their health care provider before going to a medical office, urgent care facility or emergency department. Special arrangements can be made for evaluation while also protecting other patients and medical staff from possible infection.

Potentially exposed individuals, if infected, could develop symptoms as late as July 18. People are at-risk if they haven’t been vaccinated or if they never had the measles.

“It is critical that New Jersey residents and visitors are up to date on their vaccinations to avoid the possibility of becoming ill with measles,” New Jersey Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal said. “As we can see, exposure to someone with measles may result in transmission, so getting vaccinated is the best defense.”

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.

This is the second warning about possible exposure to the disease in South Jersey this summer. In June, officials warned about possible exposure to residents of the same two counties, particularly in Moorestown, Mount Laurel, Marlton and Camden. Read more here: Measles Warning In 2 NJ Counties

Before international travel:

• Infants 6 through 11 months of age should receive one dose of MMR vaccine. Infants who get one dose of MMR vaccine before their first birthday should get two more doses (one dose at 12 through 15 months of age and another dose separated by at least 28 days).
• Children 1 year and older should receive two doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.
• Teenagers and adults who do not have evidence of immunity against measles should get two doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days.

For more information about measles, contact your healthcare provider, or visit the New Jersey Department of Health's measles webpage, which includes Frequently Asked Questions. The CDC has additional information.

Photo via U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention