Measles Case Confirmed In Monmouth County

MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ — A travel-associated measles case has been reported in Monmouth County, the NJ Department of Health announced on Friday.

The confirmed case is a resident of Monmouth County who developed measles following recent international travel, NJ Department of Health officials said.

Officials did not disclose where in Monmouth County the resident is from.

According to the NJ Department of Health, anyone who visited the following locations during the specified dates and times may have been exposed, and should contact a healthcare provider immediately to discuss potential exposure:

• Sept. 30 (between 5:30-8:30 p.m.): Livoti’s Old World Market, 200 Mounts Corner Drive, Freehold
• Oct. 1 (between 7:30-10:30 p.m.): El Rancho Mexican Restaurant, 28 W Main Street, Freehold
• Oct. 1-3 (all day): International Longshoreman Association Strike, Elizabeth Chassis Depot, 1510 S. Bay Avenue, Elizabeth, and the area near the “Welcome to Elizabeth Terminal”
• Oct. 6 (between 3-6 p.m.): Atlantic Health Immediate Care, 479 Route 520, Suite A103, Marlboro
• Oct. 7 (between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.): Jersey Shore University Medical Center – Emergency Department, 1945 NJ-33, Neptune City

The NJ Department of Health is working with local health officials on ongoing contact tracing and efforts to notify those who may have been exposed. The department is also working to identify any additional exposures that may have occurred.

According to department officials, potentially exposed individuals, if infected, could develop symptoms as late as Oct. 29.

As of Thursday, officials said no additional associated cases have been identified.

“Individuals – especially parents, guardians, health care providers, and caregivers – are urged to be aware of the symptoms of this highly contagious virus and to stay up to date with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) shots,” NJ Department of Health officials said.

According to the department, measles symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a rash that usually appears between 3-5 days after symptoms begin. The rash usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline and spread downward to the neck, torso, arms, legs, and feet.

Measles can also cause serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain), officials said, and can lead to miscarriage in pregnant people, premature birth, or a low-birth-weight baby.

Those who may have been exposed or who suspect illness should call their healthcare provider before arriving at any facility, officials said. This way, healthcare providers can take necessary precautions to protect other patients and staff.

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

The measles virus spreads easily through the air when someone coughs or sneezes, and can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area, according to the NJ Department of Health. People may also get sick when they come into contact with mucus or saliva from an infected person.

“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,” NJ Department of Health officials said. “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."

To learn more, you can visit the NJ Department of Health website.