Measles Alert in New Jersey Following Child’s Outbreak
BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — New Jersey officials have reported that a child from Hudson County diagnosed with measles visited several locations in Bergen, Essex, and Hudson counties since July 4. These visits included a mall and two restaurants. Authorities are now encouraging anyone who frequented these spots to be vigilant for any symptoms.
The aim of announcing such cases is to allow for early treatment if required. Earlier this year, it was noted that two children and an adult lost their lives during a measles outbreak in Texas.
By 2016, measles had been nearly eliminated in North and South America thanks to vaccination programs that have been ongoing since 1963. However, setbacks occurred in 2018 due to vaccination gaps in other countries causing subsequent outbreaks, according to scientists.
In the U.S., a majority of children receive vaccinations at a young age. Considering the contagious nature of the disease, health experts suggest that a local vaccination rate of at least 95 percent is essential to halt its spread. Yet, reports indicate that New Jersey’s vaccination rate recently fell to 92 percent.
Recent Emergency Room Visits
The state health department indicated on Tuesday that they are alerting residents about a confirmed measles case. Parents and caregivers are especially urged to recognize the virus’s symptoms and ensure they are current on their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations.
This specific case involves a Hudson County resident, and it has not been linked to a related incident reported last week in Ocean County.
It appears the child was taken to two hospitals on July 4 and 5 and was discharged afterward. The family then visited the Newport Centre Mall in Jersey City, Roast’d Coffee, and another restaurant in Passaic County later that evening. They returned to emergency rooms the following day. Detailed locations are noted below.
What To Watch For
Symptoms of measles typically include a high fever, coughing, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a rash. The rash tends to emerge three to five days after initial symptoms appear.
According to health officials, the rash usually starts as flat red spots at the hairline and spreads downward to the neck, torso, arms, legs, and feet. Measles can also result in severe complications like pneumonia and encephalitis, and in some cases, can lead to miscarriage or premature birth.
Locations Visited by the Child
Here’s the list of locations:
July 4-5 and 8-9
Location: University Hospital, Emergency Department, 150 Bergen St, Newark, NJ 07103
Date and Time: July 4, 5:30-10:15 p.m.
Location: Hackensack University Medical Center, 30 Prospect Ave., Hackensack
- Pediatric Emergency Department
- Date and Time: July 4, 11:15 p.m. through July 5, 2:30 a.m.
- Date and Time: July 8, between 12:45 a.m. and 7:15 a.m.
- Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital
- Date and Time: July 8, 5:15 a.m. through July 9, 4:30 p.m.
July 6
Location: Roast’d Coffee, 10 River Dr S, Jersey City, NJ 07310
Date and Time: July 6, 4-7 p.m.
Location: Newport Centre Mall, 30 Mall Dr W, Jersey City, NJ 07310
Date and Time: July 6, 6-9 p.m.
Location: Al-Basha restaurant, 1076 Main St, Paterson, NJ 07503
Date and Time: July 6, 8-11 p.m.
July 7
Location: Elite Pediatrics, 1 Broadway, Suite 303, Elmwood Park
Date & Time: July 7, 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Location: CVS, 220 Schuyler Ave, Kearny
Date & Time: July 7, 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The state is collaborating with local health departments for contact tracing and notifying individuals who might have been in proximity to the exposed child.
Those exposed could display symptoms as late as August 2.
Worrying Trends
According to reports as of July 15, no further cases associated with this incident have been identified in New Jersey.
Moreover, measles cases nationwide have reached their highest level since 1992—well before the disease was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. The virus spreads through the air via coughs or sneezes and can linger in the air for up to two hours post-exposure.
People at greatest risk include those who are unvaccinated or have never contracted measles.
The MMR vaccine is administered in two doses and guards against measles, mumps, and rubella, along with their complications. The state has urged residents to keep their vaccinations current, particularly for the MMR vaccine.
