NJ health officials warn of potential measles exposures at Walgreens, LegionsCon

MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. (WPVI) -- The New Jersey Department of Health is alerting residents about potential measles exposures linked to a newly identified case in a non-New Jersey resident who visited multiple locations in the state while infectious.

The department said Friday that potential exposures may have occurred at several locations in Morris County during the following dates and times:

• LegionsCon at Hanover Marriott, 1401 N.J.-10 E., Whippany, from 8:50 a.m. to 11 a.m. Nov. 6 and from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 7.

• Sonesta Simply Suites Parsippany Morris Plains, 100 Candlewood Drive, Morris Plains, from 9 p.m. Nov. 6 through noon Nov. 7 and from 5:45 p.m. Nov. 7 through 12:45 a.m. Nov. 11.

• Walgreens Pharmacy, 203 South St., Morristown, between 4:40 p.m. and 7:40 p.m. Nov. 7.

• Atlantic Health Morristown Medical Center Emergency Department, 100 Madison Ave., Morristown, from 10:50 p.m. Nov. 10 through 1:30 a.m. Nov. 11.

The health department said it is working with local officials on contact tracing efforts and notifying people who may have been exposed. People who were exposed could develop symptoms as late as Dec. 4.

As of Friday, no additional associated cases had been identified in New Jersey, according to the department. The agency said the state is not currently experiencing a measles outbreak, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines as three or more related cases.

Health officials on Friday urged residents, particularly parents, guardians, health care providers and caregivers, to be aware of measles symptoms and ensure they are up to date on measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations. According to the department, two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing infection and outbreaks.

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Measles symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, watery red eyes and a rash that typically appears three to five days after symptoms begin. The rash usually starts on the face at the hairline and spreads downward to the neck, torso, arms, legs and feet. The disease can also cause serious complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis, or swelling of the brain. It can also lead to miscarriage, premature birth or low birth weight during pregnancy.

Nationally, measles activity remains elevated. According to the CDC, 5,182 confirmed measles cases and 43 new outbreaks across 47 jurisdictions had been reported in the United States this year as of Nov. 6.

Health officials emphasized that vaccination remains the most effective protection against measles and noted that the virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.