A measles alert has been issued in New Jersey after three cases of the virus were confirmed in Bergen County. The unvaccinated resident, who returned from an international trip, spread the disease to two close contacts.
The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) warned people who visited Englewood Hospital’s emergency department between February 9 and March 6 may have been exposed. Symptoms could appear as late as March 6.
NJDOH is working on contact tracing, advising anyone at risk to contact their healthcare provider immediately. The health department urges residents to get the MMR vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella, citing its effectiveness in preventing death from the disease.
According to pediatrician Dr. Suhaib Nashi, vaccination is key to protecting children from this contagious illness. He notes that even if the vaccine isn’t available in all communities, it can still save lives. The CDC reports that over 120 people have been infected with measles in Texas, and more than 93% of New Jersey kindergarteners received the MMR vaccine for the 2023-24 school year.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, lasting up to two hours after they leave. Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a rash that usually appears between three and five days after symptoms begin.
The CDC defines an outbreak as three or more related cases. Experts warn that even one unvaccinated person can infect 12 to 18 others. The NJDOH advises anyone who suspects they are infected to contact their doctor first before visiting a facility, taking precautions to protect others.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/new-jersey-measles-case-bergen-county