What You Need To Know
Key messages:
- A laboratory confirmed case of measles has been identified in a Passaic County resident who developed measles following recent international travel. This case is NOT related to the Hudson
County or Ocean County measles cases reported in July. - 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.
Background:
The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) Communicable Disease Service would like to make you aware of a new confirmed measles case identified in a New Jersey (NJ) resident. The Passaic County resident developed measles following recent international travel. The individual developed rash on July 30 and was subsequently confirmed to have measles via positive measles PCR results. While infectious, the individual visited a health care facility. Anyone who visited the following location, only during the dates and times listed, may have been exposed to measles:
Chilton Medical Center, 97 West Parkway, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
- Emergency Department
- Date & Time: July 31, 2025, 7:00 PM through August 1, 2025, 3:30 AM
-
Main Hospital, 5th Floor, Intensive Care Unit
- Date & Time: August 1, 2025, between 1:30 AM and 12:30 PM
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. Known exposure locations will be updated in the measles exposure table on the NJDOH measles website. Exposed individuals, if infected, could develop symptoms as late as August 24, 2025.
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.