Potential Exposure to Measles at Newark Liberty International Airport "The Heart of the Community of Lakes

On March 4, 2019, a traveler who confirmed measles – a highly contagious disease – arrived at Terminal C at Newark Liberty International Airport in Aruba. The person was contagious that day and may have traveled to other areas of the airport. If you were at the airport between March 4 at 9 pm and March 5 at 9:30 am, you could have been exposed to measles and, in case of infection, develop symptoms as late as the March 26th. The individual departed from Terminal C for California.

Residents of New Jersey identified as potentially exposed on the sick person's flights will be notified by their local health department.

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Anyone who suspects an exposure is asked to call a health care provider before going to a doctor's office or an emergency department. Special provisions can be made for assessment while protecting other patients and medical staff from possible infections.

Symptoms of measles include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. It can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). Measles infection in a pregnant woman can lead to miscarriage, premature birth or a low birth weight baby. Measles is easily transmitted in the air when someone coughs or sneezes. People can also get sick when they come in contact with the mucus or saliva of an infected person.

"Two doses of measles vaccine are 97% effective in preventing measles. I therefore urge all residents of the state to be vaccinated to protect their health. Anyone who has not been vaccinated or who has not had measles is at risk if exposed, "said Dr. Christina Tan, an epidemiologist. "We invite all concerned to ensure that their families and families are aware of measles / mumps / rubella vaccines and all other age-appropriate vaccinations.

"Being vaccinated does not only protect you, it also protects people around you who are too young to receive the vaccine or who can not receive it for medical reasons. If you are planning a trip abroad, the World Health Organization recommends that adults and adolescents who are uncertain about their immune status receive one dose of measles vaccine before traveling, "added Dr. Tan.