The New Jersey Department of Health is warning residents about a suspect case of measles—a highly contagious disease— who could have possibly exposed others to the infection while in Bergen County between February 17 and February 25, 2019. Testing at the CDC has confirmed the infection. The individual, who is a New Jersey resident, had recent contact with a community outside New Jersey experiencing an ongoing outbreak of measles.

Anyone who visited the following locations may have been exposed to measles:

• AFC Urgent Care Hillsdale, 2 Broadway, Hillsdale, NJ 07642
  • February 18, 2019 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Walgreens Pharmacy, 383 Washington Ave, Hillsdale, NJ, 07642
  • February 18, 2019 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The Department is working in collaboration with the Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission to identify additional exposures that could have occurred. In the event that additional exposures are identified, an update will be provided.

The Department recommends that anyone who visited the location listed above during the specified date/time should contact a health provider immediately to discuss potential exposure and risk of developing the illness. If you have been exposed, you are at risk if you have not been vaccinated or have not had measles. Individuals potentially exposed, if infected, could develop symptoms as late as March 18.

Anyone who suspects an exposure is urged to 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.

Measles symptoms include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. It can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). Measles infection in a pregnant woman can lead to miscarriage, premature birth or a low-birth-weight baby. Measles is easily spread through the air when someone coughs or sneezes. People can also get sick when they come in contact with mucus or saliva from an infected person.

Anyone who has not been vaccinated or has not had measles is at risk if they are exposed. “Two doses of measles vaccine are about 97 percent effective in preventing measles,” said Dr. Christina Tan, state epidemiologist.

“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. 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. If you’re planning an international trip, the World Health Organization recommends that adults or adolescents unsure of their immune status get a dose of measles vaccine before traveling,” Dr. Tan added.