Possible Measles Exposure In 4 NJ Locations

State health officials are warning about possible measles exposure in four New Jersey locations (see below). Measles can be dangerous, and the state Department of Health is alerting people to the potential consequences.

The state Department of Health recommends that anyone who visited the four locations during certain time frames contact a doctor immediately to discuss potential exposure and the risk of developing the illness. Exposed individuals could develop symptoms as late as May 23, officials said.

“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," said Christina Tan, state epidemiologist. "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."

Here are the locations:

• Towne Centre at Englewood apartments, 20 W Palisade Ave, Englewood; April 24 - May 2
• Renaissance Office Center, 15 Engle St, Englewood; April 30, between 1 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.
• Newark Liberty International Airport, Terminal C; May 2, between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
• Columbia Travel Center, I-80 at Rt. 94, 2 Simpson Rd, Columbia; April 30, between 9:45 a.m. and 12:20 p.m.

Here is what happened:

A person with measles visited Englewood for days last month and spread the disease to someone else, causing state health officials to issue a warning.

The Bergen County resident developed measles after they came into contact with an international traveler who was sick with the disease. The traveler was at the Towne Center at Englewood apartments, at 20 West Palisades Ave., from April 24 to May 2 and the Renaissance Office Center at 15 Engle St. on April 30 from 1 to 3:45 p.m.

In a separate incident, travelers who passed through Terminal C at Newark Liberty International Airport on May 2 may have possibly been exposed to measles, according to the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH).

Measles is a very contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. Ninety percent of people with close contact with an infected person will get measles if they are not vaccinated, according to the DOH.

Before the measles vaccine became available, measles was a common childhood disease. Measles is considered the most deadly of all childhood rash/fever illnesses. Symptoms may include high fever, cough, runny nose, red watery eyes, rash.

Measles can have serious complications such as ear infections, pneumonia, swelling of the brain, and miscarriage in pregnant women. For every 1,000 children who get measles, one or two will die,

For more information on what to do if you think you're exposed to measles is available on the Department of Health's website.

CDC photo