Teenager With Measles Stayed At Bergen Hotel: Officials

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Health officials are warning people that a teenager with measles may have exposed others to the disease while visiting Bergen County earlier this week.

The infected 16-year-old visited New Jersey May 12 through 15 while infected and stayed at the Ramada in Rochelle Park, the State Department of Health said.

Persons who visited the Ramada from May 12 through 11 a.m. May 13 may have been exposed to measles, officials said.

The teenager was hospitalized at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood and may have exposed people there from 9 a.m. Saturday until 1 a.m. May 14 and from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, officials said.

The Valley Hospital is contacting people who were potentially exposed. Anyone who suspects exposure should 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.

Symptoms include rash, high fever, runny nose and red, watery eyes. The disease can cause serious complications, including pneumonia and swelling of the brain. Infected pregnant women are at possible risk of miscarriage, premature birth or having a low-birth-weight baby.

Measles is easily spread through the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs. People can also get sick when they come into contact with mucus or saliva from an infected person.

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Photo: the skin of a patient after three days of measles infection. — Getty Images/News