A patient infected with measles may have spread the virus to others at Englewood Hospital’s emergency department this week, health officials said Friday. Anyone who visited the hospital on February 9 from 11:30 am to 5:30 pm may be at risk and should contact a healthcare provider immediately for assessment and possible testing.
The patient, a Bergen County resident, developed symptoms after international travel. No further information about the patient is available. Despite no reported local outbreak, state and local health officials are conducting contact tracing to alert potential contacts.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death. Thanks to mass vaccinations starting in 1963, measles has become rare in the US. However, rates have dipped due to vaccine safety concerns and low vaccination rates.
According to the state Health Department, between 90% and 95% of adolescents in New Jersey and the US have received the recommended shots over the past decade. Measles is no longer considered eliminated in the US, but cases continue to appear when herd immunity is compromised due to falling vaccination rates.
Source: https://eu.northjersey.com/story/news/health/2025/02/14/measles-patient-may-have-spread-virus-at-nj-hospital/78651686007