What You Need To Know
Summary:
- On February 14, 2025, NJDOH reported a laboratory confirmed case of measles in a Bergen County resident with recent international travel. As of February 20, 2025, two secondary cases of measles have been identified in individuals with close contact to the original measles case. All cases are unvaccinated.
- Providers should remain vigilant and consider measles in people 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 person was potentially exposed to a case of measles or has recently traveled internationally.
- 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, triage patients by telephone, isolate patients upon arrival 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. Prior to international travel, everyone 6 months and older may be eligible for MMR.
- 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. - Measles cases continue to be identified across the country with 5 jurisdictions reporting cases in 2025, including Alaska, Georgia, New York City, Rhode Island, and Texas. Texas is currently
experiencing an ongoing measles outbreak in the South Plains Region. 93% of these cases are
unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status.
Background:
On February 14, 2025, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) Communicable Disease Service reported a laboratory confirmed case of measles in an unvaccinated Bergen County resident with recent international travel. As of February 20, two secondary cases of measles have been identified. The new cases had close contact with the index case. The individuals had been under quarantine, minimizing any additional potential exposures. All three cases associated with this situation are unvaccinated. As of today, there are a total of 3 measles cases in NJ in 2025. A total of 7 measles cases were reported in NJ in 2024. 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:
- 2/8/2025, 12:15 PM – 4:00 PM PromptMD Urgent Care, 2059 Hudson Street, Fort Lee, NJ 07024
- 2/9/2025, 11:30 AM – 5:30 PM Englewood Hospital Emergency Department, 350 Engle Street,
Englewood, NJ 07631 - 2/9/2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Hackensack University Medical Center, 30 Prospect Avenue
Hackensack, NJ 07601
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 individual was infectious. Contacts of the index case would be expected to develop symptoms no later than March 6. The NJDOH would also like to make you aware that the Texas Department of State Health Services is investigating a measles outbreak in the South Plains region of Texas. As of February 18, there are at least 58 cases associated with the outbreak (93% of the cases are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status). Spread to New Mexico has been reported. CDC will post updated case counts on Friday, 2/21. 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.