As measles outbreaks have impacted parts of the country, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) recently informed residents about potential exposure to two unrelated confirmed cases of measles from non-New Jersey residents.
NJDOH announced on March 28 that there were two unrelated confirmed cases of measles in two locations – on Amtrak Northeast Regional Train 175 traveling Southbound from New York Penn Station to Washington, D.C., (on March 19, between 7:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. on March 20) and the emergency room department at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell.
The exposure at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell, which is off Scotch Road in Hopewell Township, took place on March 22, between 5:15 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. on March 23. NJDOH noted that potentially exposed people if they are infected could develop symptoms as late as April 12.
The Hopewell Township Health Department as of March 28 said there were no current confirmed cases of measles in the township.
“We are investigating reports of measles exposure in residents that were identified to be in the locations and at the times specified in the press release,” the health department stated in a message to the community.
“We urge residents to contact their healthcare provider immediately if you notice symptoms of measles and to isolate yourself from others.”
They urged people to remember if they do notice symptoms of measles to call their healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room first before arriving at any facility so necessary infection prevention precautions are able to be taken to protect other patients and staff.
Measles symptoms can include a high fever, cough, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a rash that usually appears between three and five days after symptoms begin, according to the NJDOH.
A 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), and can lead to miscarriage in pregnant people, premature birth, or a low-birth-weight baby, NJDOH added.
The measles spreads quickly and is highly contagious as there are currently five states across the country facing measles outbreaks. Outbreaks have occurred in Texas, Ohio, Kansas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
Texas has experienced the most cases with more than 400 measles cases so far this year.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
