NEWARK – Anyone who was arrived at Terminal B at Newark Liberty International Airport 2-6 p.m. May 8 may have been exposed to measles, state health officials said.
Symptoms may show as late as May 29.
An international traveler from Vienna, Austria was infectious that day. Local health departments will be notifying any New Jersey residents who were on that traveler’s flight that they may have been exposed to the disease.
Measles is passed through air when someone coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include high fever, cough, rash, runny and red nose, and water eyes. Complications such as pneumonia or encephalitis can develop in more severe cases.
Pregnant women who develop measles can miscarry, go into premature labor or deliver a low-birth-weight baby.
Health officials urge everyone healthy enough to be vaccinated to ensure they are up-to-date on vaccines. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are needed, with an incubation time of 21 days, before a person is considered immune.
“We urge everyone to check to make sure they and their family members are up-to-date on measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine and all other age-appropriate immunizations. Getting vaccinated not only protects you, it protects others around you who are too young to get the vaccine or can’t receive it for medical reasons. If you’re planning an international trip, the World Health Organization recommends that adults or adolescents unsure of their immune status get a dose of measles vaccine before traveling,” state epidemiologist. Dr. Christina Tan said.
Anyone who believes they may have been exposed should reach out to their primary care physician and make arrangements to be seen, ensuring to not infect others.
