The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services confirmed Thursday that a person infected with measles from out of state traveled to New Hampshire while contagious. Health officials said the person came into contact with an international traveler who also had measles. This person could have transmitted measles to someone who was not immune, meaning they had not been infected before or were not fully vaccinated. People with weakened immune systems and infants who have not yet received the measles vaccine are also at risk. >> More: Department of Health and Human Services information on the 2024 measles outbreak Early Thursday, health officials released a timeline and list of locations the infected person visited in New Hampshire. Late Thursday evening, health officials released the following revised timeline: July 6, 1-5 p.m.: Texas Roadhouse, Loudon Road, Concord July 7, 2:30-4:30 p.m.: Baked and Brewed Cafe, Sun Cook Valley Road, Alton July 7, 3-6 p.m.: The Common Man, Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack Health officials are asking anyone who visited these locations on certain dates and times and was not protected or is unsure if they are protected to contact the Public Health Services Division at 603-271-4496. >> Download the free WMUR app to get the latest updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <> Previous coverage: July 9, 2024: Measles case linked to international traveler confirmed in New Hampshire resident June 29, 2024: State officials investigating possible measles exposure after international traveler tests positive
MANCHESTER, New Hampshire —
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services confirmed Thursday that an out-of-state person with measles had traveled to New Hampshire while contagious.
Health officials said the person had come into contact with an international traveller who was also infected.
This person could have transmitted the measles to someone who is not immune, meaning they have not been infected before or have not been fully vaccinated. People with weakened immune systems and infants who have not yet been vaccinated against measles are also at risk.
>> More: DHHS information on 2024 measles outbreaks
Early Thursday morning, health officials released a timeline and list of locations the infected person visited in New Hampshire. Later Thursday evening, health officials released an updated timeline.
July 6th, 1pm to 5pm: Texas Roadhouse, Loudon Road, Concord July 7th, 2:30pm to 4:30pm: Baked and Brewed Cafe, Suncook Valley Road, Alton July 7th, 3pm to 6pm: The Common Man, Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimac
Health officials are asking anyone who is unsheltered, or who is unsure if they are sheltered, and who visited these locations between the specified dates and times to contact the Public Health Services Division at 603-271-4496.
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Health officials said this latest infection is the fifth linked to a multistate measles outbreak.
Symptoms of measles vary and can include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes several days before the rash appears.
Doctors say the best prevention against measles is to get vaccinated.
“Given the vaccination rates in the community, we take this as a warning that something like this could happen again. We want to protect as many people as possible, and this is especially true for children,” said Dr. Michael Calderwood of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, measles is highly contagious. If one infected person is around, 9 out of 10 people will become infected unless they take precautions. You can even become infected by being in a room with someone who has measles.
New Hampshire state epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chang said measles can remain contagious in the air for up to two hours after a person has left the area.
“The period during which a person with measles can spread measles to others is from four days before the rash appears to four days after the rash appears,” Chan said.
Both doctors said it’s possible more cases will be identified, but Chang asserted that immunity levels in New Hampshire are generally high.
Efforts are underway to stop the spread of measles through contact tracing, public notification, and vaccination promotion.
“We don’t expect this to develop into a large, widespread community outbreak,” Chan said.
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