Public Health Alert: Confirmed Case of Measles, Monmouth County, NJ

Updated:
January 21, 2026
Published:
October 11, 2024

What You Need To Know

Confirmed Case of Measles, Monmouth County, NJ.

Summary:

  • A confirmed case of measles has been identified in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The source is unknown at this time, however, they did have recent international travel.  
  • Providers should remain vigilant and consider measles in patients with a febrile rash illness lasting three days or more, a fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher, and clinically compatible symptoms (cough, coryza and/or conjunctivitis), particularly if the patient was potentially exposed to a case of measles or has recently traveled internationally to an area with an on-going measles.  
  • Providers who are ordering measles testing should obtain samples from the following sites:  oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal swab (rRT-PCR), urine (rRT-PCR), and serum (measles IgM and  IgG). 
  • Providers should implement measles prevention measures by ensuring they and their staff are up-to-date with immunizations, use appropriate precautions, and have access to and are trained to use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when interacting with patients.  
  • Providers should ensure their patients are up to date on recommended immunizations including MMR, especially prior to international travel. 
  • Measles is an IMMEDIATELY reportable condition, and providers should immediately report suspected cases of measles to local public health authorities where the patient resides, or if not available, to the NJDOH at (609) 826-5964 during regular business hours or (609) 392-2020 after business hours or on the weekend. 

Background

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) Communicable Disease Service would like to make you aware of a confirmed measles case identified in a New Jersey (NJ) resident. This is the third confirmed case of measles reported in NJ in 2024, with the first two identified in January and June respectively.  

A Monmouth County resident developed measles following an unknown exposure and recent international travel. As of October 10, no additional associated cases have been identified. The individual developed rash on October 4, and was subsequently confirmed to have measles via positive measles PCR results. While infectious, the individual visited two health care facilities and several public places. Anyone who visited the following locations, only during the dates and times listed, may have  been exposed to measles: 

  • 9/30/2024, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM Livoti's Old World Market, 200 Mounts Corner Dr, Freehold,  NJ 07728  
  • 10/01/2024, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM El Rancho Mexican Restaurant, 28 W Main St, Freehold,  NJ 07728
  • 10/01/2024 – 10/03/2024, All day, International Longshoreman Association Strike, Elizabeth  Chassis Depot, 1510 S. Bay Avenue Elizabeth, NJ 07201, and the area near the “Welcome  to Elizabeth Terminal”
  • 10/06/2024, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM Atlantic Health Immediate Care in Marlboro, 479 Route 520  Suite A103, Marlboro, NJ 07746 
  • 10/07/2024, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Emergency Department at Jersey Shore University  Medical Center, 1945 NJ-33, Neptune City, NJ 07753 

The NJDOH is working in collaboration with local health officials to identify and notify people who might  have been exposed during the time the individual was infectious.

As of October 10, 2024, no additional cases have been identified. Secondary cases would be expected to occur no later than October 29. Therefore, the NJDOH requests healthcare providers maintain vigilance for measles among patients who meet the clinical criterion for measles (generalized maculopapular rash lasting 3 or more days, fever at least 101°F (38.3°C), and cough, coryza, or conjunctivitis). Take a detailed history to determine the individual’s travel history, contact with travelers or other possible exposures, vaccination status, and detailed history of present illness including symptoms, symptom onset dates and rash progression. Report all patients that are suspected of having measles IMMEDIATELY to local health  department where the patient resides or, if not available, to the NJDOH. 

Measles Specimen Collection and Testing

The NJDOH advises healthcare providers to collect specimens from patients suspected of having measles  as early as possible in the course of illness. Efforts should be made to obtain specimens from suspected  cases at first contact and testing should be expedited and coordinated with the local health department.  When there is a high index of suspicion, measles PCR testing is the preferred testing methodology, which is performed by CDC, Wadsworth (CDC viral reference laboratory), and, as of very recently, the  NJDOH Public Health and Environmental Laboratory. Approval is required by NJDOH prior to submission, and upon approval specimens are generally submitted to the NJDOH PHEL. 

The following specimens should be obtained: 

  • Oropharyngeal (OP) and/or nasopharyngeal (NP) swab for PCR testing - preferred (hold for NJDOH submission approval) 
  • Urine for PCR testing (hold for NJDOH submission approval)
  • Serum for measles IgM and IgG testing (send to commercial laboratory)
    • Acute phase serum as soon as possible and convalescent serum 2-3 weeks later 
    • Collect minimum of 5 mL of blood in a red-top or serum-separator tube (SST)
    • PLEASE NOTE:  
      • If serology is being ordered to determine measles immunity, commercial IgG testing is recommended. Do NOT order measles IgM if the patient is asymptomatic or recently vaccinated with MMR. 
      • Serologic test results should be interpreted with caution, as false-positive and false-negative results are possible with IgM tests. 

    Infection control considerations for suspected cases of measles

    The NJDOH requests that all healthcare providers maintain a high index of suspicion for measles in persons with a febrile rash illness, especially in those persons with recent international travel or visit to a community with an on-going measles outbreak. Because measles is highly infectious and the virus can remain airborne up to two hours, providers should take precautions to minimize exposure if one of their patients is suspected of having measles: 

    • Advise patients who call about a febrile rash illness to minimize exposure to others. 
    • Post signage outside of the office notifying patients with rash to call BEFORE entering.
    • Should a suspected case present for care, place a mask on patient and isolate immediately. 
    • Arrange for an exam in an isolated area. The exam room should not be used for at least 2 hours  after the measles suspect leaves. 
    • Review vaccine records or titer reports for your staff now, to ensure that only those with evidence of immunity to measles provide care to a suspected case of measles.
      • People presumed to be immune to measles are those:
        •  Born in the US before 1957. 
          • This is insufficient for healthcare workers. 
        • Have documentation of receipt of two doses of live measles-containing vaccine (MMR). 
        • Have documentation of a positive measles IgG titer. 
    • Remind providers/staff about the importance of receiving up-to-date immunizations and using appropriate precautions and personal protective equipment (PPE) when interacting with patients. 

Prevention of Measles

  • The best way to prevent measles is to remain up to date on all measles vaccinations especially when considering traveling abroad.
  • The following people should be vaccinated against measles:  
    • All children over one year of age who have not yet been vaccinated.
    • Children between 6 months and 1 year of age who will be traveling internationally or  visiting a community with an on-going measles outbreak (This dose will not count  toward the primary series and two additional doses after one year of age will still be  required).
    • Adults who have not yet been vaccinated and were born after 1957 and not had  laboratory confirmation of a previous measles infection. 
    • Adults of any age who will be traveling internationally or visiting a community with an on-going measles outbreak who have not previously received two doses of MMR. 

The New Jersey Department of Health's licensing standards for health facilities require that facilities notify the Department of reportable events in accordance with all applicable State and Federal regulations. New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C.) 8:43-10.11(e) states “A health care facility shall report incidents of infectious and communicable diseases to the Department pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:57.”  Filing a report via the NJDOH web-based electronic “Non-LTC Reportables Survey” DOES NOT satisfy communicable disease reporting regulations set forth in N.J.A.C. 8:57.

The NJDOH reminds healthcare providers that measles is immediately reportable upon suspicion, and to  report suspected cases of measles to the local health department where the patient resides, or if not  available to the NJDOH Communicable Disease Service at (609) 826-5964 during regular business hours  or (609) 392-2020 after business hours or on the weekend.  

Additional measles information and resources can be found on the New Jersey Department of Health’s  measles page: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/measles.shtml