New Jersey health officials warn of possible measles exposure at Somerset Medical Center

Visitors to a Somerset, New Jersey hospital during a three-day period this month are being advised of possible measles exposure because of a employee is suspected of having the viral respiratory disease, according to a New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) press release Friday.

Somerset County, New Jersey
Image/David Benbennick

An employee at the Somerset Medical Center is suspected of having the measles, according to a NJ.com report, prompting health officials to warn visitors to the hospital on the following dates to contact their health provider:

• March 4, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m;
• March 5, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m and
• March 6, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.

NJDOH officials say  people exposed at Somerset Medical Center may develop symptoms as early as March 11 and as late as March 18. Measles symptoms include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes.

“We urge everyone to check to make sure they and their family members are up-to-date on measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine and all other age-appropriate immunizations. Getting vaccinated not only protects you, it protects others around you who are too young to get the vaccine or can’t receive it for medical reasons. Two doses of measles vaccine is more than 99 percent effective in preventing measles,” said Dr. Christina Tan, state epidemiologist.

Measles or rubeola, is an acute highly communicable viral disease that is characterized by Koplik spots in the cheek or tongue very early in the disease. A couple of days later a red blotchy rash appears first on the face, and then spreads, lasting 4-7 days. Other symptoms include fever, cough and red watery eyes. The patient may be contagious from four days prior to the rash appearance to four days after rash appearance.

The disease is more severe in infants and adults. Complications from measles which is reported in up to 20% of people infected include;seizures, pneumonia, deafness and encephalitis.

Prevention of measles is through vaccination.

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