A measles outbreak has been confirmed in Bergen County, New Jersey, with three cases reported. The highly contagious virus was contracted by an unvaccinated resident who traveled abroad and infected two close contacts upon return.
The New Jersey Department of Health issued a public alert, warning individuals who visited Englewood Hospital’s emergency department on February 9 may have been exposed to the virus. Symptoms could appear as late as March 6.
This outbreak follows a surge in national cases, with over 120 reported across eight states, including Texas, where an unvaccinated child died from measles – the first US fatality in a decade.
Measles spreads through airborne transmission and can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia and brain inflammation. Health officials attribute the rise in cases to declining vaccination rates. The two-dose MMR vaccine is 97% effective in preventing the disease.
As a precaution, doctors urge the public to seek reliable health information and ensure vaccinations are up to date.
Source: https://thedigestonline.com/news/nj-measles-news-3-cases-reported-in-bergen-county