Measles Case Confirmed In Somerset County

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — A confirmed, travel-associated measles case was reported in Somerset County, The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) reported on Thursday.

"The confirmed case is a resident of Somerset County and developed measles following travel from a country that is currently experiencing an ongoing outbreak of measles," according to NJDOH.

Officials did not disclose what town in Somerset County the resident is from.

The NJDOH said people who visited the Emergency Department at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center at 1 Plainsboro Road in Plainsboro Township on June 1 between noon and 3:30 p.m. may have been exposed to the virus.

If anyone was infected at the place and time above, they could develop symptoms as late as June 26.

Officials are conducting contact tracing. As of June 5, no additional associated cases have been identified.

NJDOH recommends that anyone who visited the location above during the specified date and times should contact a health care provider immediately to discuss potential exposure and risk of developing the illness.

Previously on Monday, local health officials reported that some travelers at the Philadelphia International Airport may have been exposed to measles on the previous Friday.

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health said people in the Federal Inspection Area at the Philadelphia International Airport Terminal A West on Friday may have been exposed to measles.

Measles is a highly contagious virus.

People who have measles can spread the virus to others who are not protected against the virus through direct contact with respiratory droplets, or through droplets in the air from coughing and sneezing.

Early symptoms of measles are fever, runny nose, cough, and red, puffy eyes, followed by rash. In some people, it can be a very serious infection that leads to pneumonia, brain infection and death.

NJDOH is working in collaboration with local health officials and Penn Medicine to notify people who might have been exposed and to identify additional exposures that may have occurred.

Those who may have been exposed or who suspect illness should call their health care provider first before arriving at any facility so that necessary infection prevention precautions can be taken to protect other patients and staff.

Individuals at risk include those who have not been fully vaccinated or have not had measles in the past.

NJDOH encourages all residents to stay up-to-date on routine vaccinations and especially recommends that New Jersey residents planning to travel, regardless of destination, are up to date on MMR shots.

MMR vaccine, administered in two doses, is safe and the most effective way to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella. The vaccine is also effective at preventing complications caused by these highly contagious diseases.

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