NJ On Alert For Measles After Multiple Exposures, New Cases Hit 25-Year High

Measles outbreaks in the United States halfway through 2025 have nearly doubled the complete 2024 tally and New Jersey is one of 39 jurisdictions throughout the country that have reported at least one confirmed measles case this year.

According to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released last week, the number of total cases in the United States has also reached its highest in 25 years since the disease was eradicated from the country. This means that initial cases are only found when someone leaves the United States, and then comes back with the illness. The 1,288 recorded cases so far in 2025 are more than four times the 285 recorded just last year.

The New Jersey Department of Health added another case to this list on Tuesday, confirming that a resident of Hudson County also has come down with the illness. While the state is not currently experiencing an outbreak of cases, the department has released a list of locations that should be reviewed to see if you or loved ones were present during the designated periods and were possibly exposed:

Location: University Hospital, Emergency Department, 150 Bergen St, Newark, NJ 07103

Date & Time: July 4, 2025, between 5:30 p.m. and 10:15 p.m.

Location: Hackensack University Medical Center, 30 Prospect Ave, Hackensack, NJ, 07601

• Pediatric Emergency Department

Date & Time: July 8, 2025, between 12:45 a.m. and 7:15 a.m.

Date & Time: July 4, 2025, 11:15 p.m. through July 5, 2025, 2:30 a.m.

• Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital

Date & Time: July 8, 2025, 5:15 a.m. through July 9, 2025, 4:30 p.m.

• Location: Roast’d Coffee, 10 River Dr S, Jersey City, NJ 07310

Date & Time: July 6, 2025, between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

• Location: Newport Mall, 30 Mall Drive West, Jersey City, NJ 07310

Date & Time: July 6, 2025, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

• Location: Al-Basha, 1076 Main St, Paterson, NJ 07503

Date & Time: July 6, 2025, between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.

RELATED COVERAGE: Health Officials Warn Of Measles Exposure In Passaic Co.

• Location: Elite Pediatrics, 1 Broadway, Suite 303, Elmwood Park, NJ, 07407

Date & Time: July 7, 2025, between 10 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.

• Location: CVS, 220 Schuyler Ave, Kearny, NJ 07032

Date & Time: July 7, 2025, between 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Exposure Guidelines

The NJDOH notes that anyone who visited the locations during the specified dates and times, may have been exposed to measles.

"Anyone who suspects an exposure or illness to call their local health department or a health care provider before going to any medical office or emergency department," officials said. "Special arrangements can be made for evaluation while also protecting other patients and medical staff from possible infection. Please do not visit a medical facility without calling ahead."

MORE FROM PATCH: Child With Measles In New Jersey Visited Mall, Restaurants, Pediatrics Offices: State

Last week, a brand new case was also confirmed in Ocean County. There were also three other individuals diagnosed in February who were all part of a household outbreak in Bergen County. Measles outbreaks, defined as three or more related cases, account for 88 percent of the cases in 2025. This year's total of 27 outbreaks is up from 16 in 2024.

RELATED COVERAGE: Bergen County Resident Brought Measles Into Hospital Emergency Room

Symptoms And Risk

The measles virus is more than just a rash and fever that clears in a few days, as it can also cause serious health issues in children younger than 5. It is also highly contagious. Common symptoms include high fever, a cough, a running nose, red or watery eyes and a rash. These symptoms may wait to appear until up to 14 days following an exposure to the virus.

In relation to this latest case, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) says potentially exposed individuals could show symptoms as late as July 22. The department is working with local health officials to trace potential contacts and notify those who may have been exposed.

MORE FROM PATCH: Measles Case Reported In Ocean County: State Officials

Vaccination Recommendations

According to the New Jersey Department of Health, the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine is safe and the most effective way to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella. The department says the vaccine is also effective at preventing complications caused by the diseases.

• All residents should stay up-to-date on routine vaccinations
• Any international travelers should be fully vaccinated before leaving the United States
• Infants 6–11 months old should receive a dose of the MMR vaccine before travel. An additional two doses should be administered after their first birthday.

During the CDC's reporting for the latest data concerning a full academic year, New Jersey and six other states did not assess coverage for individual vaccines. Estimations from the CDC show that 93.2 percent of all New Jersey kindergarteners received all their doses required for school entry in the 2023-2024 academic year.

Other areas surrounding New Jersey that have reported confirmed cases in 2025 include New York City, New York State, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

AGE BREAKDOWN OF UNITED STATES CASES (CDC):

<5: 368 (29%)
5-19: 469 (36%)
20+: 439 (34%)
Unknown: 12 (1%)

VACCINATED STATUS (CDC):

"Unvaccinated or Unknown: 92%
One MMR dose: 4%
Two MMR doses: 4%"

POTENTIAL REASONS FOR MEASLES ACTIVITY (CDC):

• United States MMR coverage among kindergarteners is now below the 95 percent target—much lower in some communities—and is decreasing.
• Global measles activity is increasing, leading to higher risks that an unvaccinated person infected with measles abroad might return to the United States.

Of the 1,288 cases, there have been 162 hospitalizations so far and three confirmed deaths this year.