What You Need To Know
Summary:
- .On October 10, 2024, NJDOH reported a laboratory confirmed case of measles in a Monmouth County resident with recent international travel. As of October 17, 2024, two secondary cases of confirmed measles have been identified in individuals with close contact to the original measles case. All three cases are unvaccinated.
- 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 on-going measles transmission.
- Providers who are ordering measles testing should obtain samples from the following sites: oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal swab (rRT-PCR) and serum (measles IgM and IgG). Urine specimens should only be collected if an NP/OP swab is not able to be collected.
- Providers should implement measles prevention measures by ensuring they and their staff are up-to-date with immunizations, have triage protocols to identify and isolate potentially infectious persons, 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. Infants 6-11 months of age, travelling internationally, should receive an early dose of MMR, prior to departure. Infants who get one dose of MMR vaccine before their first birthday should get two more appropriately spaced doses.
- 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.
On October 10, 2024, The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) Communicable Disease Service reported a laboratory confirmed case of measles in a Monmouth County resident with recent international travel. As of October 17, two secondary cases of confirmed measles have been identified (Monmouth and Middlesex Counties). Both individuals had close contact with the index case. Both individuals had been under quarantine minimizing additional potential exposures. All three cases associate with this situation are unvaccinated.
The list of known exposure locations remains as previously reported. 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 continues to work in collaboration with local health officials to identify and notify people who might have been exposed during the time the individuals were infectious.
As of October 17, 2024, a total of three cases related to the initial event have been identified. Secondary cases would be expected to occur no later than November 7. 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.