The New Jersey Department of Health warned residents Friday that a person with measles recently visited the emergency department at Englewood Hospital in Bergen County.
The department said the person, who had recently traveled internationally, visited the hospital on Feb. 9 between 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Anyone who was at the hospital at that time may have been exposed and was asked to contact a doctor as soon as possible to discuss potential exposure and risk of developing the illness, according to a release from the department.
The virus spreads easily through the air when someone coughs or sneezes and can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area, officials said. People can also get sick when they come in contact with mucus or saliva from an infected person.
The department stressed people should call their doctor first before arriving at any facility so that necessary infection prevention precautions can be taken to protect other patients and staff.
Measles symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a rash that usually appears between three and five days after symptoms begin, health officials said.
The rash usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline and spread downward to the neck, torso, arms, legs, and feet, authorities said. Measles can also cause serious complications, such as pneumonia and encephalitis and can lead to miscarriage in pregnant people, premature birth, or a low-birth-weight baby.
People at risk include those who have not been fully vaccinated or have not had measles in the past, the department said.
Anyone who was potentially exposed and infected could develop symptoms as late as March 6, officials said.
As of Friday, investigators had not identified any additional associated cases.
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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
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