Measles Alert At Newark Airport; Child Was ‘Infectious,’ DOH Says

NEWARK, NJ — If you passed through Newark Liberty International Airport on Monday, March 12, there’s a chance you may have been exposed to measles, according to the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH).

On Wednesday, the DOH released a public health advisory that an international traveler from Brussels with a confirmed case of the “highly contagious disease” passed through the busy airport on March 12 on their way to Memphis, Tennessee.

The suspected carrier, a young child, was reportedly infectious on that day and may have traveled to other areas of the airport. The child arrived in Terminal B from Brussels and departed for Memphis from Terminal C, the DOH stated.

According to DOH officials:

“If you were at the airport between 12:45 and 9 p.m. [on March 12], you may have been exposed to measles, and if infected could develop symptoms as late as April 2. If you develop symptoms of measles, the Department of Health 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.”

DOH officials said that measles symptoms include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. The disease 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.

New Jersey residents identified as potentially exposed on the ill individual’s flights will be notified by their local health department, the DOH said.

“If you have been exposed, you are at risk if you have not been vaccinated or have not had measles,” officials said.

For more information about measles, contact your health care provider, or visit the New Jersey Department of Health website at www.state.nj.us/health/cd/topics/measles.shtml

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