A case of measles has been confirmed in New Jersey, the state Department of Health announced on its website Friday.
The ministry warned residents to be aware of the “highly contagious virus” and to ensure they are vaccinated against MMR (measles, mumps and rubella).
The Monmouth County case was infected while traveling abroad and is the first confirmed case in the Garden State as of Oct. 10.
But the health department said people could still show symptoms until Oct. 29.
It also lists places the infected people traveled within the state — Rivoti’s Old World Market and El Rancho Mexican Restaurant in Freehold, the International Longshoremen’s Association Strike, and Elizabeth Chassis in Elizabeth. – The Depot, Atlantic Health Immediate Care in Marlboro, and Jersey Shore University’s ER Neptune City Medical Center.
Symptoms include a high fever of over 104 degrees, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and rash.
The rash usually appears within 3 to 5 days of initial symptoms, starting as red spots on the hairline of the face and spreading to the neck, torso, arms, legs, and feet.
Measles can cause serious health problems, especially for people under the age of 5, according to the CDC. It can also cause pneumonia and encephalitis, which can cause pregnant women to miscarry or give birth to premature or low birth weight babies.
The virus spreads through the air after an infected person sneezes or coughs and can remain in the air for up to several hours. Without adequate protection from a vaccine, nearly 9 out of 10 people who come into contact with an infected person will become infected.
In 2000, measles was officially eliminated in the United States.
However, the disease is introduced each year by unvaccinated travelers.
The New York City Department of Health reported 13 measles cases in five boroughs as of August 23.
