Man Exposes South Jerseyans to Measles

A Camden County man diagnosed with measles may have exposed an untold number of people in South Jersey to the disease from April 21-24.

Cinnaminson is about 7 miles away from the nearest known locations the man visited before learning he had measles. The locations include stores, a restaurant and a nursey in Collingswood, Cherry Hill, Magnolia and Lawnside.

“Measles is a serious disease,” Bob Smith, Camden County health officer, said at a press conference Thursday morning. “It can lead to complications that are very, very serious. Complications include inner ear infection to meningitis to things like pneumonia or croup.” 

In rare cases, measles can cause brain swelling and damage, especially in young children, Smith added.

Measles was a common, but deadly childhood disease that has been largely thwarted today by vaccinations. 

“It’s not very common, but it happens,” Smith said of a measles outbreak. “If it gets a foothold, it can be very, very serious.”

The “index patient,” as county health officials are calling him, is a county resident who may have been exposed to measles from a woman who traveled here from Italy. He was clinically diagnosed, and officials are still waiting for results on blood samples sent to the Centers for Disease Control for testing.

Officials would not release other details, other than to say he was not hospitalized.

The places visited by the index patient from April 21-24 are:

• April 21, between 6:30-9:30 p.m.: The Pop Shop, 729 Haddon Ave., Collingswood
• April 22, between 8 a.m.-noon: Home Depot, 2160 Route 70, Cherry Hill
• April 23, between 6-9 p.m.: Kohl’s, 2133 Route 38, Cherry Hill
• April 24, between 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Magnolia Nursery, 405 S. White Horse Pike, Magnolia
• April 24, between 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Toys R Us, 500 Route 38, Cherry Hill
• April 24, between 11 a.m.-4p.m.: Walmart, 500 Route 38, Cherry Hill
• April 24, between 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Home Depot, 2160 Route 70, Cherry Hill
• April 24, between 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Lowe’s, 122 W. Oak Ave., Lawnside

The man also went to a private party on Easter Sunday attended by about 25 people, Smith said. He couldn’t release other details, but said county health officials are contacting the partygoers today to inform them about the case.

Officials are unsure how many, if any, people are at risk from the case. Although measles is very contagious, Smith said, close contact usually is needed to transmit the disease. Infected people spread the disease by coughing or sneezing, which releases the virus into the air, risking that another person will inhale it.

Measles’ incubation period typically is five to 21 days. There is no cure, and most patients recover on their own.

Non-vaccinated children and adults who have never had measles are at particular risk of contracting the virus if exposed, Smith said. Although New Jersey requires vaccinations, including one for measles, for public schoolchildren, parents can easily opt out by citing religious reasons.

Smith said a small, but significant percentage of parents countywide have done just that, although he had no specific numbers available. 

When administered properly, the two-dose vaccine is 99 percent effective against measles.

People who suspect a case of measles should call their doctor first. Never show up unannounced at a doctor’s waiting room or emergency room, Smith warned, because of how easily measles spreads. 

Officials at the Camden County Health Department have opened a measles hotline at 800-999-9045. Residents may call with questions on Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.