New Jersey Measles Alert; College Student Flew Into Newark

NEWARK, NJ — New Jersey Department of Health officials issued a precautionary alert Friday afternoon in connection with a person with measles who traveled through Newark Liberty International Airport. The source of the alert, an Indiana University student, had a “confirmed case” of the highly contagious disease when she traveled through Newark Airport on Jan. 2, authorities said.

According to the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH):

“On January 2, 2018, an international traveler with a confirmed case of measles—a highly contagious disease—arrived in Terminal C at Newark Liberty International Airport and departed for Indianapolis from a domestic terminal. The woman, an Indiana University student who was traveling alone, was infectious on that day, and may have traveled to other areas of the airport.”

DOH officials continued:

“If you were at the airport between 6:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., you may have been exposed to measles, and if infected could develop symptoms as late as January 23. 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.”

Here are some common symptoms of measles, according to the DOH:

• rash
• high fever
• cough
• runny nose
• 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, the DOH stated.

“Local health departments are also working to notify New Jersey residents who were identified as potentially exposed on the ill individual’s flights,” the DOH stated Friday. “If you have been exposed, you are at risk if you have not been vaccinated or have not had measles.”

More information on what to do if you’ve been exposed to measles is available at: www.state.nj.us/health/cd/documents/topics/measles/measles_exposure_guidance_public.pdf

According to an Indiana University statement, the college is working with the Monroe County Health Department and the Indiana State Department of Health to identify and directly notify anyone who may have been in close contact with the student. School administrators also plan to “implement measures to help prevent the additional transmission of the virus.”

"We will contact campus and community members who may have been exposed, but we also want our students and staff to review their own immunization history and take appropriate steps,” said Dr. Diana Ebling, medical director at the IU Health Center.

According to Indiana University, its students are required to have two doses of the MMR vaccine - and the documentation to prove it - before enrolling for their second semester of classes. It is requested that all students receive their vaccines before arriving on campus, but some receive them in the following weeks.

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